Split (1)

train · 96.9k rows

text stringlengths 0 473k

[SOURCE: https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/בני_החירות] \| [TOKENS: 813]
תוכן עניינים בני החירות בני החירות (באנגלית: Sons of Liberty) היו קבוצה פטריוטית בשלוש עשרה המושבות האמריקניות בתקופה שקדמה למלחמת העצמאות של ארצות הברית. בעיני השלטון הבריטי, הייתה הקבוצה ארגון טרור מהפכני ורדיקלי. מטרת הקבוצה, שהייתה מורכבת בעיקר מצעירים נלהבים, הייתה לעצור את אכיפת חוק הבולים של 1765 בכל האמצעים האפשריים ("אין מיסוי ללא ייצוג"). משמעות הדבר למעשה הייתה נקיטת אלימות ואיומים לעיתים קרובות כנגד גורמים שונים בשלטון הבריטי ובתומכיו. אף ראשי המהפכה רבי ההשפעה, דוגמת בני הדודים השניים סמואל וג'ון אדמס, תמכו בפעילות הארגון. הארגון נוסד בבוסטון (כיום במדינת מסצ'וסטס) ב-1765, ועד מהרה התפשט לרחבי כל המושבות האמריקניות. בחירת שם הקבוצה בא כתגובה לדבריו של צ'ארלס טאונסנד, שהגדיר את בני המושבות כ"ילדים שהושתלו בטיפולנו, הוזנו בפייסנותנו... והוגנו בזרועותנו" ולתגובתו של אייזיק בר, תומך עצמאות אמריקנית, שתיאר את האמריקאים כ"בני החירות הללו". קישורים חיצוניים
========================================

[SOURCE: https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%94%D7%91%D7%A0%D7%94] \| [TOKENS: 901]
תוכן עניינים הבנה הבנה היא תהליך קוגניטיבי שקשור לאובייקט (אנ') מופשט (אנ') או פיזי, כגון אדם, מצב, או מסר (אנ'), אשר אדם מסוגל לחשוב עליהם, ולהשתמש במושגים כדי להתמודד כראוי עם אותו אובייקט. הבנה היא תהליך מציאת היחס בין היודע לבין אובייקט ההבנה. הבנה מרמזת על היכולות והנטיות ביחס לאובייקט של ידיעה, אשר מספיקה כדי לתמוך בהתנהגות אינטליגנטית. הבנה היא ניסוח מרכיבי סוגיה, קשר לוגי והיררכי ביניהם, שמאפשר חיזוי תוצאה אפשרית בהינתן תמהיל מרכיבים דומה. הבנה לעיתים קרובות, אם כי לא תמיד, קשורה ללמידת מושגים ותפיסות, ולפעמים גם לתאוריה או לתאוריות הקשורות למושגים האלה. דוגמאות להבנה הבנה רדודה ועמוקה אדם שיש לו הבנה מתוחכמת יותר, יכולת חיזוי מדויקת יותר, או הבנה המאפשרת לו לספק הסברים שאחרים בדרך כלל מחשיבים אותם כטובים יותר, נחשב כמי שיש לו הבנה "עמוקה". לעומת זאת, אדם שיש לו הבנה מוגבלת יותר נחשב כמי שיש לו הבנה "רדודה". עם זאת, עומק ההבנה הנדרשת כדי להיות להשתתף בעיסוק או בפעילות עשויים להיות שונים במידה ניכרת. ראו גם קישורים חיצוניים הערות שוליים
========================================

[SOURCE: https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/V15] \| [TOKENS: 3763]
תוכן עניינים V15 V15 או ניצחון 2015 הייתה תנועה ישראלית על-מפלגתית שנוסדה לקראת הבחירות לכנסת ישראל ה-20, על-ידי האקטיביסטים איתמר ויצמן ונמרוד דוויק, שהצהירה כי בכוונתה להביא להחלפת שלטון ראש ממשלת ישראל, בנימין נתניהו. התנועה פעלה כשלושה חודשים טרם מערכת הבחירות לכנסת ה-20, בדרכים של "גיוס קולות" וקמפיין ציבורי בחוצות ובאינטרנט, שבהם נמתחה ביקורת על מעשיה של הממשלה היוצאת, שעמדה בראשות נתניהו. התנועה ניסתה להעלות את אחוז ההצבעה של השמאל הפוליטי בישראל. לאחר הבחירות מוזגה התנועה עם תנועת "קול אחד" וביחד הקימו את תנועת "דרכנו" בנובמבר 2015. הקמה V15 הוקמה בדצמבר 2014, על ידי איתמר ויצמן ונמרוד דוויק. בכנס ההקמה, שבו נשא דברים ראש השב"כ לשעבר יובל דיסקין, הונחו היסודות לפעילותה של התנועה במחקר, בשטח, ברשת האינטרנט ועוד. לאחר הקמתה סיכמה התנועה על שיתוף פעולה עם תנועת "קול אחד". פעילות לאורך התקופה שקדמה הבחירות לכנסת ה-20 (שהתקיימו ב-17 במרץ 2015), ניהלה התנועה קמפיין חוצות תחת הסיסמה "פשוט מחליפים". מערך השטח של הארגון כלל מטות בערי ישראל השונות, במטרה להעלות את אחוזי ההצבעה בקרב מצביעי המרכז והשמאל. פעילות גיוס קולות של התנועה, שנעשתה באמצעות הסברה מדלת לדלת, הגיעה אל מעל ל-100 אלף מצביעים פוטנציאליים במטרה להוציא אותם להצביע. עם קבלת תוצאות הבחירות התברר שהתנועה כשלה במשימתה להחלפת הממשלה - מפלגת הליכוד הגדילה את כוחה ל-30 מנדטים וב-14 במאי 2015 הושבעה ממשלת נתניהו הרביעית. מנתוני הצבעה עולה כי במקומות שפעלה התנועה עלו אחוזי ההצבעה בשיעור של בין 0 ל-3 אחוזים. עם זאת, בכלל מדינת ישראל עלו אחוזי הצבעה בבחירות לכנסת ה-20 בשיעור של 4.6%. חקירת הפעילות על ידי תת-ועדה של הסנאט האמריקאי תת-ועדה של הסנאט של ארצות הברית קבעה כי V15 עשתה שימוש בתשתית של "קול אחד" שנבנתה בתמיכת מחלקת המדינה האמריקאית לארגון "קול אחד" בשנת 2014 כדי לתמוך בקידום פתרון שתי המדינות לשני עמים. לפי הדו"ח, התמיכה נועדה לצורך קמפיין שכלל "הרחבת הנוכחות ברשתות החברתיות, בניית מאגר בוחרים גדול יותר, ושכירת חברת ייעוץ פוליטי אמריקאית שתכשיר פעילים ומנהלים בשיטות ניהול קמפיין עממי למען תמיכה בתהליך השלום הישראלי־פלסטיני". כך למשל, הפעילים שגויסו בתמיכת ממחלקת המדינה נרתמו לפעילות V15, "קול אחד" דיווח על כך לקונסול הכללי של ארצות הברית בירושלים, אך זה אמר שלא קרא את האימיילים בעניין משום שהיו ארוכים מדי. הסנטורים קבעו כי מחלקת המדינה לא הציבה מלכתחילה תנאים לגבי השימוש בכסף ולכן לא נעברה עבירה, אולם נמצאו כשלים בדרך שבה מקצה הממשל כספים לעמותות והאופן שבו הוא מפקח עליהם. יושב ראש תת-הוועדה, הסנאטור הרפובליקני רוב פורטמן, אמר כי הדבר לחלוטין אינו מקובל שנעשה שימוש בכספי משלם המיסים האמריקני לבניית תשתית של קמפיין פוליטי וכנגד ידידתה הטובה ביותר של ארצות הברית מהמזרח התיכון. ביקורת מראשית פעילותה של התנועה הושמעה ביקורת כלפי פעילותה, בעיקר בקרב ארגוני הימין וכלי התקשורת המזוהים עימם. בסוף ינואר 2015 פתחה מפלגת הליכוד בקמפיין נגד V15 שכלל ראיונות שונים בערוצי התקשורת ומסיבת עיתונאים בהשתתפות מירי רגב, ציפי חוטובלי, אופיר אקוניס, יריב לוין ודוד שמרון, שבה טענו בדבר מימון והתנהלות התנועה. הליכוד טען שהארגון משמש כשלוחה של רשימת המחנה הציוני תוך הפרת חוק מימון מפלגות, התלונן על כך בפני ועדת הבחירות המרכזית והגיש בקשה לצו מניעה נגד הארגון. לאחר שלא הצליח להוכיח את טענותיו ביטל הליכוד את בקשתו לצו מניעה, ולאחר מכן דחה ראש ועדת הבחירות המרכזית את עתירת הליכוד, וחייבו בתשלום הוצאות בסך 48,000 ש"ח. בד בבד, התפרסמו כתבות ב"ישראל היום", אשר כינו את פעילות התנועה "פרשת העמותות 2" (באזכור לפרשת עמותות ברק), ושטחו טענות דומות לאלו שהופיעו בעתירה. בעקבות פעילות התנועה, הודיע חבר הכנסת יואב קיש בחודש מרץ 2016 כי בכוונתו ליזום חוק שנועד להגביל את סך התרומות לעמותות פוליטיות בתקופת בחירות, שאושר בכנסת ב-20 במרץ 2017. בדו"ח מבקר המדינה לעניין בחירות 2015 יש התייחסות גם ל"פעילות גופים חוץ-מפלגתיים", בלי לנקוב במפורש בשמו של גוף כלשהו. בדו"ח נאמר: "אין להתעלם מהמסרים הישירים שמצאו ביטוי בחלק מהפרסומים של הגופים החוץ-מפלגתיים, לרבות פרסומים הקוראים להחלפת הממשלה ואחרים המעודדים הצבעה עבור גושים שונים. חרף האמור, ובשים לב לחשיבותו של חופש הביטוי הפוליטי של יחידים וקבוצות בחברה דמוקרטית, הגעתי לכלל מסקנה כי לא ניתן לראות במסרים מעין אלו תעמולה מובהקת לטובת סיעה ספציפית עד כדי קביעה שנוצרה חזקה של זיקה ארגונית לסיעה מסוימת כלשהי". ראו גם קישורים חיצוניים הערות שוליים
========================================

[SOURCE: https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%91%D7%9C%D7%A9%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%AA] \| [TOKENS: 4625]
תוכן עניינים בלשנות עיינו גם בפורטל פורטל בלשנות ושפות הוא שער לכל הנושאים הקשורים לחקר השפות. הפורטל מציג קישורים לערכים בתחומי השפה והבלשנות, ובהם תחומי הפונולוגיה, המורפולוגיה, והכתב, וכן קישורים לערכי אישים. בַּלְשָׁנוּת או לשונאות (ובלעז לִינְגְּוִויסְטִיקָה) היא חקר שפה טבעית אנושית, וחקר היכולת האנושית להשתמש בשפה. אדם העוסק בחקר זה נקרא בלשן או לשונאי. מקור המונח המונחים "בַּלְשָן" ו"בַּלְשָנוּת" מקורם במדרש על השמות "מָרְדֳּכַי בִּלְשָׁן", המופיעים בין שמות האנשים ששבו מגלות בבל ליהודה בימי עזרא ונחמיה. חז"ל קראו את המילים "מרדכי בִּלשן" כמתייחסות לאדם אחד ולא לשניים, וזיהו אותו עם מרדכי היהודי. בתלמוד הבבלי נדרש השם בִּלְשָׁן ככינוי למרדכי, ששלט בשפות רבות והשתמש בהשוואה בין לשונות להסקת פרשנות המילים: דאמר רבי יוחנן: אין מושיבים בסנהדרין אלא בעלי חכמה, בעלי מראה, בעלי קומה, בעלי זקנה, בעלי כשפים ויודעים שבעים לשון, שלא תהא סנהדרין שומעת מפי התורגמן אלא דהוה בייל לישני ודריש (רש"י: בולל ומערבב הלשונות), והיינו דכתיב במרדכי בלשן. בימינו מקובל המונח "בלשנות" כחלופה עברית למונח הלועזי לינגוויסטיקה (באנגלית: Linguistics). בלשנות מסורתית ובלשנות מודרנית ההבחנה המרכזית היא בין בלשנות מסורתית לבלשנות מודרנית. הבלשנות המסורתית היא בעיקרה בלשנות דיאכרונית: היא עוסקת בחקר ההיסטוריה של השפה ובהתפתחותה לאורך זמן, תוך חיפוש קשרים "משפחתיים" בין שפות וחקר ההיסטוריה של מילים בשפות שונות. הבלשנות המודרנית, לעומת זאת, נוטה לגישה סינכרונית: היא מתמקדת בניתוח המערכת הלשונית בנקודת זמן נתונה. הגישה הסינכרונית יעילה במיוחד בחקר רכישת השפה על ידי ילדים - לילדים הרוכשים את שפת-אמם אין גישה להיסטוריה של השפה והם נאלצים להתמודד עם המערכת הלשונית כפי שהיא בזמן נתון. הבלשנות המסורתית היא לעיתים קרובות נורמטיבית: היא שואפת להגדיר נורמות לשימוש נכון בשפה, בין השאר על סמך הידע ההיסטורי שנצבר במחקר הדיאכרוני. הבלשנות המודרנית, לעומת זאת, מניחה שאין זה מתפקידו של החוקר לקבוע נורמות - תפקיד הבלשן, כפי שתופשת אותו הבלשנות המודרנית, הוא לתאר ולהבין את התופעות הקיימות, כמו בתחומים רבים אחרים של המדע. כשם שפיזיקאים, למשל, אינם מנסים להכתיב חוקי פיזיקה אלא להבין את החוקים הקיימים, כך גם הבלשן מנסה להבין ולתאר את מצבה של השפה. לכן הבלשנות המודרנית היא דסקריפטיבית (תיאורית), ולא נורמטיבית. הבלשנות המודרנית החלה להתפתח בתחילת המאה ה-20, תחילה בזרם הסטרוקטורליסטי, ואחר-כך בזרם הגנרטיבי. הבלשנות המודרנית צמחה במידה רבה מתוך מדעי החברה, כלומר מתוך חקר ההתנהגויות האנושיות. הוויכוח המפורסם בין נועם חומסקי לבין פרדריק סקינר שהוליד את הבלשנות הגנרטיבית, היה למעשה ויכוח בתחום הפסיכולוגיה, ובלשנים מסורתיים כמעט שלא היו מעורבים בו. אף על פי כן, ככל שהתקדם המחקר במסגרות החדשות, נעשה שימוש הולך וגובר במידע שנצבר במסגרת המסורתית ובמושגים שהתפתחו בה. הבלשנות המסורתית ממשיכה להתקיים גם במקביל לבלשנות המודרנית. ענפי הבלשנות בלשנים מחלקים את חקר השפה למספר תחומים נפרדים. חלוקה זו נובעת בחלקה ממסורת, ונועדה במידה רבה לאפשר התמחות של בלשנים בתחומים ממוקדים. חלוקות מסוימות משקפות בעיות אמיתיות במחקר הבלשני - למשל, הבלשנים מתקשים להסביר מדוע כללי יצירת המילים (מורפולוגיה) שונים במידה ניכרת מכללי יצירת המשפטים (תחביר). לא כל הבלשנים מסכימים על החלוקות האלה. רוב הבלשנים הקוגניטיביים, לדוגמה, יחשבו שהקטגוריות סמנטיקה ופרגמטיקה הן שרירותיות, וכמעט כל הבלשנים מסכימים שיש חפיפה נרחבת בין החלוקות. המורפולוגיה נחקרת כמעט תמיד מתוך זיקה לתחום אחר - תחביר, פונולוגיה או סמנטיקה, ואף מתפתח תחום ביניים - "מורפולוגיה פרוזודית" - שמשלב בין פונולוגיה למורפולוגיה. תחומי ביניים אחרים מתפתחים ככל שמתקדם המחקר הבלשני. המילה דקדוק (באנגלית: Grammar) מתייחסת בדרך-כלל לפונולוגיה, מורפולוגיה, תחביר וסמנטיקה כאחד. להלן רשימת התחומים המקובלת על רוב הבלשנים: תחום שמקובל להכלילו במסגרת בלשנות, אך יש רבים הרואים בו תחום נפרד, שכן הוא עוסק בעיקר בטקסטים כתובים, ולא בשפה המדוברת הוא פילולוגיה - חקר של טקסטים כתובים, שחזור גרסאות קודמות שלהם, השוואות בין טקסטים מבחינה לשונית, תארוך טקסטים לפי השפה והסגנון הלשוני המשמשים בהם, חקר ההיסטוריה של טקסטים כתובים. בנוסף לבלשנות הקלאסית, מתפתח החל משנות ה-70 וה-80 ענף הבלשנות החישובית (הנקרא לעיתים "עיבוד שפה טבעית" Natural Language Processing), המשתמש בכלים מתמטיים-סטטיסטיים ובאלגוריתמים ממדעי המחשב לטובת מחקר שפה, ולצורך פיתוח כלים ממוחשבים כגון תרגום אוטומטי, כלים לאחזור מידע וכדומה. חלוקת שפות לפי משפחות החלוקה המסורתית של שפות לפי משפחות לוקה בפשטנות מסוימת, כיוון שהיא מניחה שכל שפה היא גלגול ישיר של שפה קדומה אחת, וכן כיוון שהיא מניחה שקיימת הפרדה ברורה בין שפות. בפועל אין הדברים ברורים כל כך, ולעיתים רבות ההחלטה האם ניבים הם סגנונות שונים של אותה השפה או שתי שפות שונות היא קשה ומעוררת ויכוחים רבים (ראו למשל שפות סיניות). כמו כן ויכוחים רבים מתגלעים בין חוקרים לגבי שיוך של לשון זו או אחרת לשפה מסוימת, ואף לגבי הגדרת המשפחות עצמן. עם זאת מדובר בשיטה נוחה המאפשרת לראות בקלות קשרים בין שפות שונות. באתר ethnologue ישנה רשימה מקיפה של לשונות העולם, שלפיה משפחות השפות הגדולות ביותר מבחינה כמותית, הן:[דרושה הבהרה] כמו כן, קיימות עשרות משפחות שפות נוספות, קטנות יותר, וכן עשרות שפות מבודדות. ראו גם קישורים חיצוניים הערות שוליים
========================================

[SOURCE: https://www.reddit.com/r/Judaism/#main-content] \| [TOKENS: 714]
r/Judaism Purim Megathread 5786 #10 General Discussion (Off Topic) Israel & Related Antisemitism Shabbat Shalom! u/Shasari • Shabbat Shalom! We're what's left 😄 u/justjust000 • We're what's left 😄 Oregon State Board of Nursing Public Forum 02/19/2026 u/Boring-Question4748 • Oregon State Board of Nursing Public Forum 02/19/2026 Antisemitism Anyone can view, post, and comment to this community Community Bookmarks About r/Judaism Here you can find resources of, by, for, and in general proximity to all things Jew~ish. This is a non-denominational subreddit, we expect everybody to respect that. To debate, ask, inform, or otherwise discuss r/judaism, please go to r/metajudaism A glossary of common terms that you might see thrown around here. A fantastic translation plugin for most browsers. Gives you hover text translations of common non-English words. Our world-famous denominations of Judaism document. A basic introduction to conversions and what it takes to become a Jew. More resources, texts, and things to read. r/Judaism Rules Don't be a jerk Don’t start or continue flame wars. Don’t troll or harass people, for any reason. Don’t use personal (ad hominem) attacks. This includes things but is not limited to; anti-denominational language, sweeping generalizations, bringing up of conversion/Jewish identity status, bigotry. Additionally, telling people to be quiet or go to another sub is as unacceptable as the rest. Don't proselytize. Don’t proselytize for other religions or lack thereof. No antisemitism. Don't make clickbait. Don’t change submission titles into clickbait for link posts. Your thoughts and opinions should go in the comments. It is not forbidden to change titles across the board. Changes to the title that offer no opinion, and clarify content, are fine. Don't fundraise/survey without prior permission. Message the mods for permission before posting fundraisers, advertisements, surveys, requests for interviews, or any other type of solicitation. This applies to personal, commercial, media, and academic posts. No questions about fasting Any questions about fasting or the intersection of medicine and Jewish law may be removed. Ask your rabbi and/or doctor No Politics Political posts go in the appropriate megathread. This includes posts about antisemitism in politics as well as posts about Israel/Palestine that are not otherwise directly related to Judaism or Jews doing Jewish things. If it's worth reporting, report and don't respond If a post is worth reporting, report it and don’t respond. If a lot of things are worth reporting, message the mods. Don't feed the trolls, don't play mod, don't tell somebody "hey, you broke the rules". Just report it. Reports are most useful when you give details This is here for reporting purposes as most of the time writing a description is the most helpful thing to do. Using the custom response is usually the best idea. No reposts Especially for articles, but also for general questions. If you ask a question that is answered in the Wiki or can be found by searching the sub, your post will be removed. Important Links Browse With More Happiness Filter out posts based on flair AMA Calendar Jewish Diaspora Calendar Related Subreddits Moderators Installed Apps
========================================

[SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reddit#cite_ref-140] \| [TOKENS: 12221]
Contents Reddit Reddit (/ˈrɛdɪt/ ⓘ RED-it, formerly stylized reddit) is an American proprietary social news aggregation and forum social media platform. Registered users (commonly referred to as "redditors") submit content to the site such as links, text posts, images, and videos, which are then voted up or down ("upvoted" or "downvoted") by other members. Posts are organized by subject into user-created boards called "subreddits". Submissions with more upvotes appear towards the top of their subreddit and, if they receive enough upvotes, ultimately on the site's front page. Reddit administrators moderate the communities. Moderation is also conducted by subreddit-specific moderators, who are unpaid volunteers. It is operated by Reddit, Inc., based in San Francisco. As of December 2025, Reddit is one of the most-visited websites in the world. According to data provided by Similarweb, 51.75% of the website traffic comes from the United States, followed by Canada at 7.01%, the United Kingdom at 6.97%, Australia at 3.97%, Germany at 3%, and the remaining 28.37% split among other countries. Reddit was founded by University of Virginia roommates Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian in June 2005, who were joined by Aaron Swartz that November. Condé Nast Publications acquired the site in October 2006. In 2011, Reddit became an independent subsidiary of Condé Nast's parent company, Advance Publications. Reddit debuted on the stock market on the morning of March 21, 2024, with the ticker symbol RDDT. The current market cap as of July 2024 is US$10 billion. Reddit has been noted for its role in political activism, particularly in the United States, with notable left-wing and anti-theist subcultures on the website. It has received praise for many of its features, such as the ability to create several subreddits for niche communities. It has been criticized for the spread of misinformation and its voting system which can encourage online echo chambers. History The idea and initial development of Reddit originated with college roommates Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian in 2005, who attended a lecture by programmer-entrepreneur Paul Graham in Boston during their spring break from University of Virginia. After speaking with Huffman and Ohanian following the lecture, Graham invited the two to apply to his startup incubator Y Combinator. Their initial idea, My Mobile Menu, was unsuccessful, and was intended to allow users to order food by SMS text messaging. During a brainstorming session to pitch another startup, the idea was created for what Graham called the "front page of the Internet". For that idea, Huffman and Ohanian were accepted in Y Combinator's first class. Supported by the funding from Y Combinator, Huffman coded the site in Common Lisp and together with Ohanian launched Reddit in June 2005. Embarrassed by an empty-looking site, the founders created hundreds of fake users for their posts to make it look more populated. The team expanded to include Christopher Slowe in November 2005. Between November 2005 and January 2006, Reddit merged with Aaron Swartz's company Infogami, and Swartz became an equal owner of the resulting parent company, Not A Bug. Swartz then helped rewrite the software running Reddit using web.py, a web framework he developed. The passage from Aaron Swartz's blog post "Rewriting Reddit" reveals that the switch from Lisp to Python, specifically using the web.py framework developed by Swartz, was driven by a desire for simplicity, maintainability, and performance. Despite facing skepticism and critique from the Lisp community, the change was justified by the efficiency and clarity Python provided for the project. This initiative not only influenced the technical evolution of Reddit but also contributed to the broader web development community by inspiring other frameworks and remaining a significant part of Reddit's history. In 2011, Ohanian claimed that rather than Swartz being a co-founder, the correct description would be that Swartz's company was acquired by Reddit six months after the website was founded. Huffman and Ohanian sold Reddit to Condé Nast Publications, owner of Wired, on October 31, 2006, for a reported $10 million to $20 million and the team moved to San Francisco. In November 2006, Swartz posted to his blog, complaining about the new corporate environment, criticizing its level of productivity. In January 2007, Swartz was fired for undisclosed reasons. Huffman and Ohanian left Reddit in 2009. Huffman went on to co-found Hipmunk with Adam Goldstein, and later recruited Ohanian and Slowe to the new company. After Huffman and Ohanian left Reddit, Erik Martin, who joined the company as a community manager in 2008 and later became general manager in 2011, played a role in Reddit's growth. VentureBeat noted that Martin was "responsible for keeping the site going" under Condé Nast's ownership. Yishan Wong joined Reddit as CEO in 2012. Wong resigned from Reddit in 2014, citing disagreements about his proposal to move the company's offices from San Francisco to nearby Daly City, but also the "stressful and draining" nature of the position. Ohanian credited Wong with the company's newfound success as its user base grew from 35 million to 174 million. Wong oversaw the company as it raised $50 million in funding and spun off as an independent company. Also during this time, Reddit began accepting the digital currency Bitcoin for its Reddit Gold subscription service through a partnership with bitcoin payment processor Coinbase in February 2013. Ellen Pao replaced Wong as interim CEO in 2014 and resigned in 2015 amid a user revolt over the firing of a popular Reddit employee. During her tenure, Reddit initiated an anti-harassment policy, banned involuntary sexualization, and banned several forums that focused on bigoted content or harassment of individuals. After five years away from the company, Ohanian and Huffman returned to leadership roles: Ohanian became the full-time executive chairman in November 2014 following Wong's resignation, while Pao's departure on July 10, 2015, led to Huffman's return as the company's chief executive. After Huffman rejoined Reddit as CEO, he launched Reddit's iOS and Android apps, improved Reddit's mobile website, and created A/B testing infrastructure. The company launched a major redesign of its website in April 2018. Huffman said new users were turned off from Reddit because it had looked like a "dystopian Craigslist". Reddit also instituted several technological improvements, such as a new tool that allows users to hide posts, comments, and private messages from selected redditors in an attempt to curb online harassment, and new content guidelines. These new content guidelines were aimed at banning content inciting violence and quarantining offensive material. Slowe, the company's first employee, rejoined Reddit in 2017 as chief technology officer. Ohanian resigned as a member of the board on June 5, 2020 in response to the George Floyd protests and requested to be replaced "by a Black candidate". Michael Seibel, then-CEO of Y Combinator, was subsequently named to the board. On March 5, 2021, Reddit announced that it had appointed Drew Vollero, who had worked at Snapchat's parent company, Snap Inc., as its first chief financial officer (CFO) weeks after the site was thrust into the spotlight due to its role in the GameStop trading frenzy. Vollero's appointment spurred speculation of an initial public offering, a move that senior leaders have considered publicly. As of August 2021[update], Reddit was valued at more than $10 billion following a $410 million funding round. The company was looking to hire investment bankers and lawyers to assist in making an initial public offering. However, CEO Steve Huffman said the company had not decided on the timing for when to go public. In December 2021, Reddit revealed that it had confidentially filed for an initial public offering with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Reddit's initial public offering opened on March 20, 2024, at $34 per share and a $6.4 billion valuation. They went public the next day on the New York Stock Exchange at $47 per share and rose to $50.44 at market close on their first day of trading, reaching a market cap of $9.5 billion. The market cap as of July 2024 was $10 billion. Site overview Reddit is a website comprising user-generated content—including photos, videos, links, and text-based posts—and discussions of this content in what is essentially a bulletin board system. The name "Reddit" is a play-on-words with the phrase "read it", i.e., "I read it on Reddit." According to Reddit, in 2019, there were approximately 430 million monthly users, who are known as "redditors". The site's content is divided into categories or communities known on-site as "subreddits", of which there are more than 138,000 active communities. As a network of communities, Reddit's core content consists of posts from its users. Users can comment on others' posts to continue the conversation. A key feature to Reddit is that users can cast positive or negative votes, called upvotes and downvotes respectively, for each post and comment on the site. The number of upvotes or downvotes determines the posts' visibility on the site, so the most popular content is displayed to the most people. Users can also earn "karma" for their posts and comments, a status that reflects their standing within the community and their contributions to Reddit. Posts are sometimes automatically archived after six months, meaning they can no longer be commented or voted on. The most popular posts from the site's numerous subreddits are visible on the front page to those who browse the site without an account. By default for those users, the front page will display the subreddit r/popular, featuring top-ranked posts across all of Reddit, excluding not-safe-for-work communities and others that are most commonly filtered out by users (even if they are safe for work). The subreddit r/all originally did not filter topics, but as of 2021 it does not include not-safe-for-work content. Registered users who subscribe to subreddits see the top content from the subreddits to which they subscribe on their personal front pages. Additionally, some subreddits have a karma and account age requirement to discourage bots and spammers from posting. Front-page rank—for both the general front page and for individual subreddits—is determined by a combination of factors, including the age of the submission, positive ("upvoted") to negative ("downvoted") feedback ratio, and the total vote-count. Registering an account with Reddit is free and requires an email address. In addition to commenting and voting, registered users can also create their own subreddit on a topic of their choosing. In Reddit style, usernames begin with "u/". Noteworthy redditors include u/Poem_for_your_sprog, who responds to messages across Reddit in verse, u/Shitty_Watercolour who posts paintings in response to posts, and u/spez, the CEO of Reddit (Steve Huffman). Subreddits are overseen by moderators, Reddit users who earn the title by creating a subreddit or being promoted by a current moderator. Reddit users may also request to moderate a sub that has no moderators or very inactive ones in r/redditrequest. These requests are reviewed by the Reddit admins. Moderators are volunteers who manage their communities, set and enforce community-specific rules, remove posts and comments that violate these rules, and often work to keep discussions in their subreddit on topic. Admins, by contrast, are employees of Reddit. Early on, Reddit implemented shadow banning, purportedly to address spam accounts, while saying, "it's still the only tool we have to punish people who break the rules". In 2015, Reddit added an account suspension feature which they said would replace sitewide shadowbans, however, moderators are still able to shadowban users or their individual posts. Reddit releases transparency reports annually which have information like how many posts have been taken down by moderators and for what reason. It also details information about requests law enforcement agencies have made for information about users or to take down content. In 2020, Reddit removed 6% of posts made on the platform (approx. 233 million). More than 99% of removals were marked as spam; the remainder made up of a mix of other offensive content. Around 131 million posts were removed by the automated moderator (~56 %) and the rest were taken down manually. It is estimated that Reddit's moderators work 466 hours every day, which is $3.4 million in unpaid work each year. That roughly equates to 2.8% of the company's annual revenue. Subreddits (officially called communities) are user-created areas of interest where discussions on Reddit are organized. There are about 138,000 active subreddits (among a total of 1.2 million) as of July 2018[update]. Subreddit names begin with "r/"; for instance, "r/science" is a community devoted to discussing scientific publications, while "r/gaming" is a community devoted to discussing video games, and "r/worldnews" is for posting news articles from around the world. In a 2014 interview with Memeburn, Erik Martin, then the general manager of Reddit, remarked that their "approach is to give the community moderators or curators as much control as possible so that they can shape and cultivate the type of communities they want". Subreddits often use themed variants of Reddit's alien mascot, Snoo, in the visual styling of their communities. Today subreddits exist not only for interests and topics but also for organizations. The Wayanad Literature Festival has a subreddit where they host discussions based on the sessions they host and encourage people to post about literature, politics and media. Reddit Premium (formerly Reddit Gold) is a premium membership that allows users to view the site ad-free. Until 2023, subscribers could also use coins to award posts or comments they valued, generally due to humorous or high-quality content. Reddit Premium unlocks several features not accessible to regular users, such as comment highlighting, exclusive subreddits such as r/lounge, a personalized Snoo (known as a "snoovatar"), and a Reddit premium trophy that can be displayed on the user's profile. Reddit Gold was renamed to Reddit Premium in 2018. In addition to gold coins, users were able to gift silver and platinum coins to other users as rewards for quality content. On the site, redditors commemorate their "cake day" once a year, on the anniversary of the day their account was created. Cake day adds an icon of a small slice of cake next to the user's name for 24 hours. In August 2021, the company introduced a TikTok-like short-form video feature for iOS that lets users rapidly swipe through a feed of short video content. In December 2021, the company introduced a Spotify Wrapped-like feature called Reddit Recap that recaps various statistics from January 1 to November 30 about each individual user, such as how much time they spent on Reddit, which communities they joined, and the topics that they engaged with, and allows the user to view it. On July 7, 2022, Reddit announced "blockchain-backed Collectible Avatars", customizable avatars which are available on the subreddit r/CollectibleAvatars for purchase separate from Reddit Premium. The avatars were created by independent artists who post work on other subreddits, and who receive a portion of the profits. They use Reddit's Polygon blockchain-powered digital wallet the Vault. Richard Lawler of The Verge described them as "non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that are available for purchase in the Reddit Avatar Builder". In 2017, Reddit developed its own real-time chat software for the site. While some established subreddits have used third-party software to chat about their communities, the company built chat functions that it hopes will become an integral part of Reddit. Individual chat rooms were rolled out in 2017 and community chat rooms for members of a given subreddit were rolled out in 2018. Reddit Talk was announced in April 2021 as a competitor to Clubhouse. Reddit Talk lets subreddit moderators start audio meeting rooms that mimic Clubhouse in design. In 2022, Reddit Talk was updated to support recording audio rooms and work on the web version of Reddit. A desktop app is reportedly slated for a late February release. Reddit Chat replaced the Reddit private messaging system in June 2025. Reddit acquired MeaningCloud, a natural language processing company in June 2022. In February 2024, Reddit announced a partnership with Google in a deal worth about $60 million per year, to license its real-time user content to train Google's AI model. The partnership also lets Reddit get access to Google's "Vertex AI" service which would help improve search results on Reddit. It was announced that Reddit and OpenAI had reached a deal that will allow OpenAI access to the Reddit API to train its models, while Reddit will receive certain AI tools for moderators and users. In December 2024, Reddit announced Reddit Answers, an AI search tool that summarizes conversations in response to a question from the user. Reddit's search function has had many iterations; the one on the new site currently uses Lucidworks Fusion, while the search on old reddit uses Reddit's own in-house search In 2009, Reddit released their official mobile app, called iReddit. This app was sparsely updated, and was superseded by a new mobile website in 2010. For several years, most Redditors relied on third-party apps to access Reddit on mobile devices. In October 2014, Reddit acquired one of them, Alien Blue, which became the official iOS Reddit app. Reddit removed Alien Blue and released its official application, Reddit: The Official App, on Google Play and the iOS App Store in April 2016. The company released an app for Reddit's question-and-answer Ask Me Anything subreddit in 2014. The app allowed users to see active Ask Me Anythings, receive notifications, ask questions and vote. As of September 2025, all versions of the iReddit and Alien Blue apps still work on older versions of iOS; they were not affected by the API shutdown due to both of them being official Reddit apps. The 2010 mobile site, however, was shut down in 2024. The site has undergone several products and design changes since it originally launched in 2005. When it initially launched, there were no comments or subreddits. Comments were added in 2005 and interest-based groups (called 'subreddits') were introduced in 2008. Allowing users to create subreddits has led to much of the activity that redditors would recognize that helped define Reddit. These include subreddits "WTF", "funny", and "AskReddit". Reddit rolled out its multireddit feature, the site's biggest change to its front page in years, in 2013. With the multireddits, users see top stories from a collection of subreddits. In 2015, Reddit enabled embedding and as a result users could share Reddit content on other sites. In 2016, Reddit began hosting images using a new image uploading tool, a move that shifted away from the uploading service Imgur that had been the de facto service. Users still can upload images to Reddit using Imgur. Reddit's in-house video uploading service for desktop and mobile launched in 2017. Previously, users had to use third-party video uploading services, which Reddit acknowledged was time-consuming for users. Reddit released its "spoiler tags" feature in January 2017. The feature warns users of potential spoilers in posts and pixelates preview images. Reddit unveiled changes to its public front page, called r/popular, in 2017; the change creates a front page free of potentially adult-oriented content for unregistered users. In late 2017, Reddit declared it wanted to be a mobile-first site, launching several changes to its apps for iOS and Android. The new features included user-to-user chat, a theater mode for viewing visual content, and mobile tools for the site's moderators. "Mod mode" lets moderators manage content and their subreddits on mobile devices. Reddit launched its redesigned website in 2018, with its first major visual update in a decade. Development for the new site took more than a year. It was the result of an initiative by Huffman upon returning to Reddit, who said the site's outdated look deterred new users. The new site features a hamburger menu to help users navigate the site, different views, and new fonts to better inform redditors if they are clicking on a Reddit post or an external link. The nominal goal was not only for Reddit to improve its appearance, but also to make it easier to accommodate a new generation of Reddit users. Additionally Reddit's growth had strained the site's back end; Huffman and Reddit Vice President of Engineering Nick Caldwell told The Wall Street Journal's COI Journal that Reddit needed to leverage artificial intelligence and other modern digital tools. Users can opt-out of the redesign by using the old.reddit.com domain. On May 15, 2024, the dedicated login flow was removed from the old domain, although site admins said they had "no plans" to remove the old domain entirely. In November 2023, Fast Company reported that Reddit began rolling out a comprehensive rebrand, including a new logo, typeface, brand colors, and an updated version of its mascot Snoo, as part of its preparation for a potential 2024 IPO and in response to its expanding user base and global reach. Reddit's logo consists of a time-traveling alien named Snoo and the company name stylized as "reddit". The alien has an oval head, pom-pom ears, and an antenna. Its colors are black, white, and orange-red. The mascot was created in 2005 while company co-founder Alexis Ohanian was an undergraduate at the University of Virginia. Ohanian drew a doodle of the creature while he was bored during a marketing class. Originally, Ohanian sought to name the mascot S'new, a play on "What's new?", to tie the mascot into Reddit's premise as the "front page of the Internet". Eventually, the name Snoo was chosen. In 2011, Ohanian outlined the logo's evolution with a graphic that showcased several early versions, including various spellings of the website name, such as "Reditt". Snoo is genderless, so the logo is moldable. Over the years, the Reddit logo has frequently changed for holidays and other special events. Many subreddits have a customized Snoo logo to represent the subreddit. Redditors can also submit their own logos, which sometimes appear on the site's front page, or create their own customized versions of Snoo for their communities (or "subreddits"). When Reddit revamped its website in April 2018, the company imposed several restrictions on how Snoo can be designed: Snoo's head "should always appear blank or neutral", Snoo's eyes are orange-red, and Snoo cannot have fingers. Snoo's purpose is to discover and explore humanity. Discontinued features Starting in 2023 with the discontinuation of the Reddit API's free tier, Reddit has been silently discontinuing legacy features and reducing the functionalities of the old site. All of these changes have been met with significant backlash by the Reddit community. Reddit's private messaging system, which had been present on the site ever since its launch in 2005, was discontinued in 2025 in favor of Reddit Chat. Reddit discontinued its free API tier for commercial applications in April 2023. This was met with significant backlash by the community, leaving the website in a state of disarray for months. In early 2023, Reddit silently discontinued its legacy mobile site, known as i.reddit, and reddit compact and previously accessible at i.reddit.com. This was despite a Reddit admin stating that iReddit was "here to stay". The original 2017 redesign of Reddit, also known as new.reddit and old new Reddit and previously accessible at new.reddit.com, was discontinued on December 11, 2024. No changes were made to the pre-2017 legacy desktop site, still accessible at old.reddit.com. In 2023, the Reddit coin and award system was discontinued in favor of a "golden upvote". This was deeply unpopular, and Reddit added awards back under a new implementation a few months later. However, these new awards are not accessible or viewable on the legacy desktop site. On June 4, 2025, Reddit announced that they would be removing custom emoji from comments. Login: Login functionality was removed from the old site sometime in 2024. You can still log in to the old site, but you must do it through the new site. Age trophies: Account age trophies past Year 15 are not visible on the old site. Private messaging: Sending a private message (like a modmail) now requires you to use the new site. FAQ, terms, and official Wiki pages: All official information pages were migrated from the legacy site's wiki to the new site sometime in 2020. Reddit notifications: Official Reddit notifications were moved from the legacy inbox to the Notifications section, which is only accessible on the new site. The Reddit Public Access Network, commonly known as RPAN, was a live streaming service run by Reddit. Viewers interacted with streams by upvoting or downvoting, chatting, and giving paid awards. During the off-air hours, 24/7 streaming was possible to the dedicated subreddits, but with limited slots and capabilities. On August 19, 2019, Reddit announced RPAN. It was said to be in testing, but they were experimenting with making it a permanent program, as well as a way to increase revenue for the platform. Later, a five-day testing period began. During the testing period, streaming was for a select group of users, allowing 30 minutes of streaming per person and 100 slots. On July 1, 2020, RPAN Studio was released, an application that allows users to broadcast live from desktop computers. RPAN Studio has been built on top of OBS, an open-source streaming and recording program. On January 28, 2021, Reddit permanently increased streaming times to three hours. RPAN was officially discontinued on November 15, 2022. Corporate affairs Reddit is a public company based in San Francisco. In 2023, it downsized from an office in the Mid-Market neighborhood to an office in the South of Market neighborhood. Reddit doubled its headcount in 2017; as of 2018[update], it employed approximately 350 people. In 2017, the company was valued at $1.8 billion during a $200 million round of new venture funding. The company was previously owned by Condé Nast, but was spun off as an independent company. As of April 2018[update], Advance Publications, Condé Nast's parent company, retained a majority stake in Reddit. Reddit's key management personnel includes co-founder and CEO Steve Huffman, Chief Technology Officer Chris Slowe, who was the company's original lead engineer, and Chief Operating Officer Jen Wong, a former president of digital and chief operating officer at Time Inc. Reddit does not disclose its revenue figures. The company generates revenue in part through advertising and premium memberships that remove ads from the site. As part of its company culture, Reddit operates on a no-negotiation policy for employee salaries. The company offers new mothers, fathers, and adoptive parents up to 16 weeks of parental leave. Advertising Reddit launched two different ways of advertising on the site in 2009. The company launched sponsored content and a self-serve ads platform that year. Reddit launched its Reddit Gold benefits program in July 2010, which offered new features to editors and created a new revenue stream for the business that did not rely on banner ads. On September 6, 2011, Reddit became operationally independent of Condé Nast, operating as a separate subsidiary of its parent company, Advance Publications. Reddit's users tend to be more privacy-conscious than on other websites, often using tools like ad-blocking software and proxies, and they dislike "feeling manipulated by brands" but respond well to "content that begs for intelligent viewers and participants." Lauren Orsini writes in ReadWrite that "Reddit's huge community is the perfect hype machine for promoting a new movie, a product release, or a lagging political campaign" but there is a "very specific set of etiquette. Redditors don't want to advertise for you, they want to talk to you." Journalists have used the site as a basis for stories, though they are advised by the site's policies to respect that "reddit's communities belong to their members" and to seek proper attribution for people's contributions. Reddit announced that they would begin using VigLink to redirect affiliate links in June 2016. Since 2017, Reddit has partnered with companies to host sponsored AMAs and other interactive events, increased advertising offerings, and introduced efforts to work with content publishers. In 2018, Reddit hired Jen Wong as COO, responsible for the company's business strategy and growth, and introduced native mobile ads. Reddit opened a Chicago office to be closer to major companies and advertising agencies located in and around Chicago. In 2019, Reddit hired former Twitter ad director Shariq Rizvi as its vice president of ad products and engineering. Community and culture The website is known for its open nature and diverse user community that generate its content. Its demographics allows for wide-ranging subject areas, as well as the ability for smaller subreddits to serve more niche purposes. The user base of Reddit has given birth to other websites, including image sharing community and image host Imgur, which started in 2009 as a gift to Reddit's community. In its first five months, it jumped from a thousand hits per day to a million total page views. Data collected by Pew Research Center in 2013 found that Reddit users were much more likely to be from urban communities than rural ones. Women were greatly under-represented on the website. Reddit's userbase had a disproportionately high number of Hispanic users. With regards to education, high school dropouts were over-represented among Reddit users. Reddit has been noted for its role in political activism, with notable left-wing and anti-theist subcultures on the website. Statistics from Google Ad Planner suggest that 74% of Reddit users are male. In 2016, the Pew Research Center published research showing that 4% of U.S. adults use Reddit, of which 67% are men, while 78% of users get news from Reddit. Users tend to be significantly younger than average with less than 1% of users being 65 or over. Politically, 43% of Reddit users surveyed by Pew Research Center in 2016 identified as liberal, with 38% identifying as moderate and 19% as conservative. Reddit is known in part for its passionate user base, which has been described as "offbeat, quirky, and anti-establishment". Similar to the "Slashdot effect", the Reddit effect occurs when a smaller website crashes due to a high influx of traffic after being linked to on Reddit; this is also called the Reddit "hug of death". Users have used Reddit as a platform for their charitable and philanthropic efforts. Redditors raised more than $100,000 for charity in support of comedians Jon Stewart's and Stephen Colbert's Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear; more than $180,000 for Haiti earthquake relief efforts; and delivered food pantries' Amazon wish lists. In 2010, Christians, Muslims, and atheists held a friendly fundraising competition, where the groups raised more than $50,000. A similar donation drive in 2011 saw the atheism subreddit raise over $200,000 for charity. In February 2014, Reddit announced it would donate 10% of its annual ad revenue to non-profits voted upon by its users. As a result of the campaign, Reddit donated $82,765 each to each of the selected recipients. Reddit has been used for a wide variety of political engagement including the presidential campaigns of Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and Bernie Sanders. It has also been used for self-organizing sociopolitical activism such as protests, communication with politicians and active communities. Reddit has become a popular place for worldwide political discussions. The March for Science originated from a discussion on Reddit over the deletion of all references to climate change from the White House website, about which a user commented that "There needs to be a Scientists' March on Washington". On April 22, 2017, more than 1 million scientists and supporters participated in more than 600 events in 66 countries across the globe. Reddit users have been engaged in the defense of Internet privacy, net neutrality and Internet anonymity. Reddit created an Internet blackout day and was joined by Wikipedia and other sites in 2012 in protest of the Stop Online Piracy and PROTECT IP acts. On January 18, Reddit participated in a 12-hour sitewide blackout to coincide with a congressional committee hearing on the measures. During that time, Reddit displayed a message on the legislation's effects on Reddit, in addition to resources on the proposed laws. In May 2012, Reddit joined the Internet Defense League, a group formed to organize future protests. The site and its users protested the Federal Communications Commission as it prepared to scrap net neutrality rules. In 2017, users upvoted "Battle for the Net" posts enough times that they filled up the entire front page. On another day, the front page was overtaken by posts showcasing campaign donations received by members of Congress from the telecommunications industry. Reddit CEO Steve Huffman has also advocated for net neutrality rules. In 2017, Huffman told The New York Times that without net neutrality protections, "you give internet service providers the ability to choose winners and losers". On Reddit, Huffman urged redditors to express support for net neutrality and contact their elected representatives in Washington, D.C. Huffman said that the repeal of net neutrality rules stifles competition. He said he and Reddit would continue to advocate for net neutrality. As a response to Glenn Beck's August 28, 2010, Restoring Honor rally, in September 2010 Reddit users started a movement to persuade satirist Stephen Colbert to have a counter-rally in Washington, D.C. The movement, which came to be called "Restoring Truthiness", was started by user mrsammercer, in a post where he described waking up from a dream in which Stephen Colbert was holding a satirical rally in D.C. Over $100,000 was raised for charity to gain the attention of Colbert. The campaign was mentioned on-air several times, and when the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear was held in Washington, D.C., on October 30, 2010, thousands of redditors made the journey. During a post-rally press conference, Reddit co-founder Ohanian asked, "What role did the Internet campaign play in convincing you to hold this rally?" Jon Stewart responded by saying that, though it was a very nice gesture, he and Colbert had already thought of the idea and the deposit for using the National Mall was already paid during the summer, so it acted mostly as a "validation of what we were thinking about attempting". In a message to the Reddit community, Colbert later added, "I have no doubt that your efforts to organize and the joy you clearly brought to your part of the story contributed greatly to the turnout and success." Reddit has been blocked in multiple countries due to Internet censorship performed by the governments of some countries. As of October 2023, Reddit is blocked in Indonesia, China, North Korea, Turkey, and partially blocked in Bangladesh. Reddit was blocked in Russia in 2015 and later unblocked. Since May 2014, Reddit has been blocked in Indonesia by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology for hosting content containing nudity. In August 2015, the Federal Drug Control Service of Russia determined that Reddit was promoting conversations about psychedelic drugs. The Roskomnadzor banned the website, citing advice on how to grow magic mushrooms as the reason. The Russian government had asked Reddit before to remove drug-related posts to no response. The site was later unblocked. ISPs in India were found to be blocking traffic over Reddit for intermittent periods in some regions in 2019. In July 2025, Reddit began requiring age verification in order to access certain features, to comply with the UK's Online Safety Act 2023, using a service called Persona. Content covered includes sexually explicit material, encouragement of suicide and eating disorders, and expressions of hatred based on race, religion, or sexual orientation. Over the years, Reddit has done multiple pranks and events for April Fools' Day. Since 2013, they have often taken the form of massive social experiments. Noteworthy events include The Button in 2015, which included a global "button" that could only be clicked once per user. It attracted more than a million clicks. 2017's experiment r/place involved making a collaborative pixel art. Millions of users worked together in communities to place pixels one at a time to create a larger canvas. This experiment was very successful and repeated in 2022's April Fools experiment and in 2023. AMAs, or "Ask Me Anything" interviews, during an AMA on r/IAmA and other subreddits, users can ask questions to interviewees. Notable participants include former-United States President Barack Obama (while campaigning for the 2012 election), Bill Gates (multiple times), and Donald Trump (also while campaigning). AMAs have featured CEO Steve Huffman, as well as figures from entertainment industries around the world (including Priyanka Chopra and George Clooney), literature (Margaret Atwood), space (Buzz Aldrin), privacy (Edward Snowden), fictional characters (including Borat and Cookie Monster) and others, such as experts who answered questions about the transgender community. The Atlantic wrote that an AMA "imports the aspirational norms of honesty and authenticity from pseudonymous Internet forums into a public venue". RedditGifts was a program that offers gift exchanges throughout the year. The fan-made RedditGifts site was created in 2009 for a Secret Santa exchange among Reddit users, which has since become the world's largest and set a Guinness World record. In 2009, 4,500 redditors participated. For the 2010 holiday season, 92 countries were involved in the secret Santa program. There were 17,543 participants, and $662,907.60 was collectively spent on gift purchases and shipping costs. In 2014, about 200,000 users from 188 countries participated. Several celebrities have participated in the program, including Bill Gates, Alyssa Milano, and Snoop Dogg. Eventually, the secret Santa program expanded to various other occasions through RedditGifts, which Reddit acquired in 2011. As with most public online forums, Reddit is vulnerable to the use of disruptive or manipulative practices by its members, from sources such as troll farms, click farms and astroturfing. Another example is brigading, notable in the case of Reddit as it is often cited as the origin of the practice and use of the word in this context. Though all of these examples are in some form, against the rules of Reddit's content policy, at least in the case of brigading, they are not always malicious in intent. A notable example is the case of "Mr. Splashy Pants", when organized brigading of another website, by redditors, appears to have been tacitly encouraged by the Reddit administration. In the aftermath, the target of this vote brigading appeared to take it in good humor. Reddit communities occasionally coordinate Reddit-external projects such as skewing polls on other websites, like the 2007 incident when Greenpeace allowed web users to decide the name of a humpback whale it was tracking. Reddit users voted en masse to name the whale "Mister Splashy Pants", and Reddit administrators encouraged the prank by changing the site logo to a whale during the voting. In December of that year, Mister Splashy Pants was announced as the winner of the competition. Criticism and controversies In general, the website grants subreddit moderators discretion in deciding what content is and is not allowed on their subreddits, so long as site-wide rules are not being violated. This relative freedom has allowed for a wide diversity of subreddits to exist, and some of them have attracted controversy. Many of the default subreddits are highly moderated, with the "science" subreddit banning climate change denialism, and the "news" subreddit banning opinion pieces and columns. Reddit has changed its site-wide editorial policies several times, sometimes in reaction to controversies. Reddit has historically been a platform for objectionable but legal content, and in 2011, news media covered the way that jailbait was being shared on the site before the site changed their policies to explicitly ban "suggestive or sexual content featuring minors". Reddit also received controversy over hosting misogynistic content, including the doxing of erotic models and revenge porn. Following some controversial incidents of Internet vigilantism, Reddit introduced a strict rule against the online publication of non-public personally-identifying information (a common internet harassment tool colloquially known as doxxing) via the site. Those who break the rule are subject to a site-wide ban, which can result in the deletion of their user-generated content. Due to Reddit's decentralized moderation, user anonymity, and lack of fact-checking systems, the platform is highly prone to spreading misinformation and disinformation. It has been suggested that those who use Reddit should exercise caution in taking user-created unsourced content as fact. Concerns have been raised in particular about dangerous medical misinformation on the platform. A 2022 study of 300 comments and posts discussing urinary tract infections found that fewer than 1% cited a source for their content, and several contained harmful medical misinformation that may dissuade readers from seeking medical care or lead to dangerous self-medication, such as proposing fasting as a cure for UTIs. Reddit communities exhibit the echo chamber effect, in which repeated unsourced statements come to be accepted among the community as fact, leading to distorted worldviews among users. It has been suggested that since 2019, Russian state-sponsored troll accounts and bots have engaged in a broad campaign to take over subreddits, such as r/antiwar. After the Boston Marathon bombing in April 2013, Reddit faced criticism after users wrongly identified a number of people as suspects in the subreddit r/FindBostonBombers. Notable among misidentified bombing suspects was Sunil Tripathi, a student reported missing before the bombings took place. A body reported to be Sunil's was found in Providence River in Rhode Island on April 25, according to Rhode Island Health Department. The cause of death was not immediately known, but authorities said they did not suspect foul play. The family later confirmed Tripathi's death was a result of suicide. Reddit general manager Erik Martin later issued an apology for this behavior, criticizing the "online witch hunts and dangerous speculation" that took place on the website. The incident was later referenced in the season 5 episode of the CBS TV series The Good Wife titled "Whack-a-Mole", as well as The Newsroom. In August, private sexual photos from the celebrity photo hack were widely disseminated across the site. A dedicated subreddit, "TheFappening", was created for this purpose, and contained links to most if not all of the criminally obtained explicit images. Some images of McKayla Maroney and Liz Lee were identified by redditors and outside commentators as child pornography because the photos were taken when the women were underage. The subreddit was banned on September 6. The scandal led to wider criticisms concerning the website's administration from The Verge and The Daily Dot. After Ellen Pao became CEO in 2014, she was initially a target of criticism by users who objected to the deletion of content critical of herself and her husband. Later on June 10, 2015, Reddit shut down the 150,000-subscriber "fatpeoplehate" subreddit and four others citing issues related to harassment. This move was seen as very controversial; some commenters said that the bans went too far, while others said that the bans did not go far enough. One of the latter complaints concerned a subreddit that was "expressing support" for the perpetrator of the Charleston church shooting. Responding to the accusations of "skewed enforcement", Reddit reaffirmed their commitment to free expression and stated, "There are some subreddits with very little viewership that get highlighted repeatedly for their content, but those are a tiny fraction of the content on the site." On July 2, Reddit began experiencing a series of blackouts as moderators set popular subreddit communities to private, in an event dubbed "AMAgeddon", a portmanteau of AMA ("ask me anything") and Armageddon. This was done in protest of the recent firing of Victoria Taylor, an administrator who helped organize citizen-led interviews with famous people on the popular AMA subreddit. Organizers of the blackout also expressed resentment about the recent severance of the communication between Reddit and the moderators of subreddits. The blackout intensified on July 3 when former community manager David Croach gave an AMA about being fired. Before deleting his posts, he stated that Ellen Pao dismissed him with one year of health coverage when he had cancer and did not recover quickly enough. Following this, a Change.org petition to remove Pao as CEO of Reddit Inc. reached over 200,000 signatures. Pao posted a response on July 3 as well as an extended version of it on July 6 in which she apologized for bad communication and not delivering on promises. She also apologized on behalf of the other administrators and noted that problems already existed over the past several years. On July 10, Pao resigned as CEO and was replaced by former CEO and co-founder Steve Huffman. In August, Steve Huffman introduced a policy which led to the banning of several offensive and sexual communities. Included in the ban was lolicon, to which Huffman referred as "animated CP [child porn]". Some subreddits had also been "quarantined" due to having "highly-offensive or upsetting content" such as r/European, r/swedenyes, r/drawpeople, r/kiketown, r/blackfathers, r/greatapes, and r/whitesarecriminals. In April 2023, Reddit announced its intentions to charge large fees for its application programming interface (API), a feature of the site that has existed for free since 2008, causing an ongoing dispute. The move forced multiple third-party applications to shut down and threatened accessibility applications and moderation tools. On May 31, Apollo developer Christian Selig stated that Reddit's pricing would force him to cease development on the app. The resulting outcry from the Reddit community ultimately led to a planned protest from June 12 to 14 in which moderators for the site would make their communities private or restricted posting. Following the release of an internal memo from Reddit CEO Steve Huffman and defiance from Reddit, some moderators have continued their protest. Alternate forms of protest have emerged in the days following the initial blackout. Upon reopening, users of r/pics, r/gifs, and r/aww voted to exclusively post about comedian John Oliver. Multiple subreddits labeled themselves as not safe for work (NSFW), affecting advertisements and resulting in administrators removing the entire moderation team of some subreddits. The protest has been compared to a strike. /r/place had its third launch on July 20, 2023; however, the launch was heavily protested by users and developers due to the event following the 2023 Reddit API controversy; Reddit CEO Steve Huffman's decision to make it prohibitively expensive for third-party app developers drew widespread condemnation. In February 2017, Reddit banned the alt-right subreddit r/altright for violating its terms of service, more specifically for attempting to share private information about the man who attacked alt-right figure Richard B. Spencer. The forum's users and moderators accused Reddit administrators of having political motivations for the ban. After the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol, Reddit banned the subreddit r/DonaldTrump in response to repeated policy violations and alluding to the potential influence the community had on those who participated in or supported the storming. The move followed similar actions from social media platforms, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok and more. The ban was criticized by those who believed it furthered an agenda and censorship of conservative ideologies. The subreddit had over 52,000 members just before it was banned. In May 2016, CEO Steve Huffman said in an interview at the TNW Conference that, unlike Facebook, which "only knows what [its users are] willing to declare publicly", Reddit knows its users' "dark secrets" at the same time that the website's "values" page was updated regarding its "privacy" section. The video reached the top of the website's main feed. Shortly thereafter, announcements concerning new advertisement content drew criticism on the website. In September, a user named "mormondocuments" released thousands of administrative documents belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an action driven by the ex-Mormon and atheist communities on Reddit. Previously, on April 22, the same user had announced his plans to do so. Church officials commented that the documents did not contain anything confidential. On November 23, Huffman admitted to having replaced his username with the names of r/The_Donald moderators in many insulting comments. He did so by changing insulting comments made towards him and made it appear as if the insult were directed at the moderators of r/The_Donald. On November 24, The Washington Post reported Reddit had banned the "Pizzagate" conspiracy board from their site, stating it violated their policy of posting personal information of others, triggering a wave of criticism from users on r/The_Donald, who felt the ban amounted to censorship. After the forum was banned from Reddit, the words "we don't want witchhunts on our site" now appears on the former page of the Pizzagate subreddit. On November 30, Huffman announced changes to the algorithm of Reddit's r/all page to block "stickied" posts from a number of subreddits, such as r/The_Donald. In the announcement, he also apologized for personally editing posts by users from r/The_Donald, and declared intentions to take actions against "hundreds of the most toxic users" of Reddit and "communities whose users continually cross the line". In March 2018, it was revealed that Huffman had hidden Russian troll activity from users. In February 2019, Chinese company Tencent invested $150 million into Reddit. This resulted in a large backlash from Reddit users, who were worried about potential censorship. Many posts featuring subjects censored in China, such as Tiananmen Square, Tank Man, and Winnie the Pooh, received popularity on Reddit. In late August 2021, more than 70 subreddits went private to protest against COVID-19 misinformation on Reddit, as well as Reddit's refusal to delete subreddits undermining the severity of the pandemic. A 2021 letter from the United States Senate to Reddit CEO Steve Huffman expressed concern about the spread of COVID-19 misinformation on the platform. In January 2025, over 100 Reddit communities banned users from posting links from the X social media site after Elon Musk, its CEO, made an arm gesture at a speech which critics claimed was a Nazi salute. The Verge reported that Musk had "privately pressur[ed]" the CEO of Reddit Steve Huffman to moderate content critical of him and the Trump administration, and that after their exchange, Reddit took action and temporarily banned r/WhitePeopleTwitter due to "policy violations". On March 5, 2025, Reddit announced that they will be issuing warnings to users who upvote "violent content", and "may consider" taking other actions against the users. The Verge reported two days later that Reddit's automatic moderation tool has been flagging the word "Luigi" as "potentially violent", including in comments or context unrelated to Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO. The moderator of r/popculture, a subreddit with over 125,000 members, stated that Reddit's AutoModerator system flagged a comment about Nintendo video game Luigi's Mansion because it included the word "Luigi", and instructed them to "check for violence"; other comments that mentioned "Luigi", even in non-violent context, were also flagged. On July 12, 2018, the creator and head moderator of the GamerGate subreddit, r/KotakuInAction, removed all of the moderators and set the forum to private, alleging it to have become "infested with racism and sexism". A Reddit employee restored the forum and its moderators an hour later. During the George Floyd protests in early June 2020, over 800 moderators signed an open letter demanding a policy banning hate speech, a shutdown of racist and sexist subreddits, and more employee support for moderation. Bloomberg News pointed out the company's slow reaction to r/watchpeopledie, a subreddit dedicated to videos of people dying in accidents and other situations, and the harassment that accompanied new unmoderated features like icons for purchase and public chats. On June 29, 2020, Reddit updated its content policy and introduced rules aimed at curbing the presence of communities they believed to be "promoting hate", and banned approximately 2,000 subreddits that were found to be in violation of the new guidelines on the same day. Larger subreddits affected by the bans included r/The_Donald, r/GenderCritical (the platform's largest and most active anti-transgender radical feminist subreddit), and r/ChapoTrapHouse (a far-left subreddit originally created by fans of the podcast Chapo Trap House). Some media outlets and political commentators also condemned the banning of the r/The_Donald and r/ChapoTrapHouse subreddits as a violation of the right to free political expression. A 2025 TIMES article listed Reddit "The Most Xenophobic Social Media Site" after the Anti-Defamation League denounced Reddit for allowing public communities to engage in racism, antisemitism, and routine hate speech without consequence. In February 2013, Betabeat published a post that recognized the influx of multinational corporations like Costco, Taco Bell, Subaru, and McDonald's posting branded content on Reddit that was made to appear as if it was original content from legitimate Reddit users. PAN Communications wrote that marketers want to "infiltrate the reddit community on behalf of their brand," but emphasized that "self-promotion is frowned upon" and Reddit's former director of communications noted that the site is "100 percent organic." She recommended that advertisers design promotions that "spark conversations and feedback." She recommended that businesses use AMAs to get attention for public figures but cautioned "It is important to approach AMAs carefully and be aware that this may not be a fit for every project or client." Nissan ran a successful branded content promotion offering users free gifts to publicize a new car, though the company was later ridiculed for suspected astroturfing when the CEO only answered puff piece questions on the site. Taylor described these situations as "high risk" noting: "We try hard to educate people that they have to treat questions that may seem irreverent or out of left field the same as they would questions about the specific project they are promoting." In March 2021, Reddit users discovered that Aimee Challenor, an English politician who had been suspended from two UK political parties, was hired as an administrator for the site. Her first suspension from the Green Party came for retaining her father as her campaign manager after his arrest on child sexual abuse charges. She was later suspended from the Liberal Democrats after tweets describing pedophilic fantasies were discovered on her partner's Twitter account. Reddit banned a moderator for posting a news article which mentioned Challenor, and some Reddit users alleged that Reddit were removing all mention of Challenor. Many subreddits, including r/Music, which had 27 million subscribers, and 46 other subreddits with over 1 million subscribers, went private in protest. On March 24, Reddit's CEO Steve Huffman said that Challenor had been inadequately vetted before being hired and that Reddit would review its relevant internal processes. Huffman attributed user suspensions to over-indexing on anti-harassment measures. Challenor was also removed from her role as a Reddit admin. The GameStop short squeeze was primarily organized on the subreddit r/wallstreetbets in January 2021. In October 2023, Reddit Moons (a site-specific cryptocurrency launched in May 2020) had seen a surge of value in 2023, at one point in mid-2023 rising past 50 cents per moon, but it crashed by more than 90% after it was announced on October 17 that the token would be "wound down" on November 8, allegedly due to scaling and regulatory issues; Reddit-centric coins DONUT and BRICK also crashed upon the news. In June 2023, The BlackCat hacker gang claimed responsibility for a February 2023 breach of Reddit's systems. On its data leak site, it claimed that it stole 80 GB of compressed data and demanded a $4.5 million ransom from Reddit. This attack did not involve data encryption like typical ransomware campaigns. In September 2024, the Federal Trade Commission released a report summarizing nine company responses (including from Reddit) to orders made by the agency pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914 to provide information about user and non-user data collection (including of children and teenagers) and data use by the companies that found that the companies' user and non-user data practices put individuals vulnerable to identity theft, stalking, unlawful discrimination, emotional distress and mental health issues, social stigma, and reputational harm. In 2025, researchers from the University of Zurich conducted a experiment on the debate subreddit r/changemyview. The researchers deployed AI-run Reddit accounts to pose as humans and actively push desired viewpoints in order to study how AI could influence opinions among human participants. The experiment was run without the consent or knowledge of the subreddit moderators for four months until one of the researchers informed them. Critics of the experiment argued it was unethical as it involved impersonation and involuntarily used Redditors as experiment participants. On December 2025, Reddit filed a lawsuit in an attempt to overturn Australia's social media ban for children, as Australia was one of Reddit's biggest markets, and the ban would prevent people under 16 from accessing the site. See also Notes References Further reading External links
========================================

[SOURCE: https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/קובץ:Emblem_of_Jerusalem-04.jpg] \| [TOKENS: 419]
קובץ:Emblem of Jerusalem-04.jpg תקציר רישיון יומן העלאה מקורי היסטוריית הקובץ ניתן ללחוץ על תאריך/שעה כדי לראות את הקובץ כפי שנראה באותו זמן. שימוש בקובץ הדפים הבאים משתמשים בקובץ זה: שימוש גלובלי בקובץ אתרי הוויקי האחרים הבאים משתמשים בקובץ זה: מטא־נתונים קובץ זה מכיל מידע נוסף, שכנראה הגיע ממצלמה דיגיטלית או מסורק שבהם הקובץ נוצר או עבר דיגיטציה. אם הקובץ שונה ממצבו הראשוני, כמה מהנתונים להלן עלולים שלא לשקף באופן מלא את הקובץ הנוכחי.
========================================

[SOURCE: https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/1770] \| [TOKENS: 624]
תוכן עניינים 1770 שנת 1770 היא השנה ה-70 במאה ה-18. זוהי שנה רגילה, שאורכה 365 ימים. 1 בינואר 1770 לפי הלוח הגרגוריאני מקדים את 1 בינואר לפי הלוח היוליאני ב-11 ימים. כל התאריכים שלהלן הם לפי הלוח הגרגוריאני. אירועים נולדו נפטרו לוח שנה להלן לוח שנה גרגוריאני – עברי משולב עם ימים בינלאומיים. חגים ומועדים עבריים: Nothing. במקומות בהם היה נהוג אז הלוח היוליאני, שנת 1770 התחילה ביום ט"ו בטבת ה'תק"ל (לעומת זאת, אותה שנה לפי הלוח הגרגוריאני החלה 11 ימים מוקדם יותר, ב-ד' בטבת). אורכה של שנה זו לפי הלוח היוליאני 365 ימים - בדיוק כמו הלוח הגרגוריאני המקביל. להלן לוח שנה יוליאני - עברי משולב עם חגים ומועדים עבריים: Nothing. ראו גם קישורים חיצוניים 1765 • 1766 • 1767 • 1768 • 1769 • 1770 • 1771 • 1772 • 1773 • 1774 • 1775
========================================

[SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_News#cite_ref-351] \| [TOKENS: 18442]
Contents Fox News The Fox News Channel (FNC), often referred to as Fox News, is an American multinational conservative news and political commentary television channel and website based in New York City. Owned by the Fox News Media subsidiary of Fox Corporation, it is the most-watched cable news network in the United States, and as of 2023 it generates approximately 70% of its parent company's pre-tax profit. The channel broadcasts primarily from studios at 1211 Avenue of the Americas in Midtown Manhattan. Fox News provides service to 86 countries and territories, with international broadcasts featuring Fox Extra segments during advertising breaks. The channel was created by Australian-born American media mogul Rupert Murdoch in 1996 to appeal to a conservative audience, hiring former Republican media consultant and CNBC executive Roger Ailes as its founding CEO. It launched on October 7, 1996 to 17 million cable subscribers. Fox News grew during the late 1990s and 2000s to become the dominant United States cable news subscription network. By September 2018, 87 million U.S. households (91% of television subscribers) could receive Fox News. In 2019, it was the top-rated cable network, averaging 2.5 million viewers in prime time. Murdoch, the executive chairman since 2016, said in 2023 that he would step down and hand responsibilities to his son, Lachlan. Suzanne Scott has been the CEO since 2018. It has been criticized for biased and false reporting in favor of the Republican Party, its politicians, and conservative causes, while portraying the Democratic Party in a negative light. Some researchers have argued that the channel is damaging to the integrity of news overall, and acts as the de facto broadcasting arm of the Republican Party. Since its formation, the channel has politically shifted further rightwards over time, and by 2016 became solidly pro-Trump. The channel has knowingly endorsed false conspiracy theories to promote Republican and conservative causes. These include, but are not limited to, false claims regarding fraud with Dominion voting machines during their reporting on the 2020 presidential election, climate change denial,[a] and COVID-19 misinformation. It has also been involved in multiple controversies, including accusations of permitting sexual harassment and racial discrimination by on-air hosts, executives, and employees, ultimately paying out millions of dollars in legal settlements. History In May 1985, Australian publisher Rupert Murdoch announced that he and American industrialist and philanthropist Marvin Davis intended to develop "a network of independent stations as a fourth marketing force" to directly compete with CBS, NBC, and ABC through the purchase of six television stations owned by Metromedia. In July 1985, 20th Century Fox announced Murdoch had completed his purchase of 50% of Fox Filmed Entertainment, the parent company of 20th Century Fox Film Corporation. Subsequently, and prior to founding FNC, Murdoch had gained experience in the 24-hour news business when News Corporation's BSkyB subsidiary began Europe's first 24-hour news channel (Sky News) in the United Kingdom in 1989. With the success of his efforts establishing Fox as a TV network in the United States, experience gained from Sky News and the turnaround of 20th Century Fox, Murdoch announced on January 30, 1996, that News Corp. would launch a 24-hour news channel on cable and satellite systems in the United States as part of a News Corp. "worldwide platform" for Fox programming: "The appetite for news – particularly news that explains to people how it affects them – is expanding enormously". In February 1996, after former U.S. Republican Party political strategist and NBC executive Roger Ailes left cable television channel America's Talking (now MSNBC), Murdoch asked him to start Fox News Channel. Ailes demanded five months of 14-hour workdays and several weeks of rehearsal shows before its launch on October 7, 1996. At its debut, 17 million households were able to watch FNC; however, it was absent from the largest U.S. media markets of New York City and Los Angeles. Rolling news coverage during the day consisted of 20-minute single-topic shows such as Fox on Crime or Fox on Politics, surrounded by news headlines. Interviews featured facts at the bottom of the screen about the topic or the guest. The flagship newscast at the time was The Schneider Report, with Mike Schneider's fast-paced delivery of the news. During the evening, Fox featured opinion shows: The O'Reilly Report (later The O'Reilly Factor), The Crier Report (hosted by Catherine Crier) and Hannity & Colmes. From the beginning, FNC has placed heavy emphasis on visual presentation. Graphics were designed to be colorful and gain attention; this helped the viewer to grasp the main points of what was being said, even if they could not hear the host (with on-screen text summarizing the position of the interviewer or speaker, and "bullet points" when a host was delivering commentary). Fox News also created the "Fox News Alert", which interrupted its regular programming when a breaking news story occurred. To accelerate its adoption by cable providers, Fox News paid systems up to $11 per subscriber to distribute the channel. This contrasted with the normal practice, in which cable operators paid stations carriage fees for programming. When Time Warner bought Ted Turner's Turner Broadcasting System, a federal antitrust consent decree required Time Warner to carry a second all-news channel in addition to its own CNN on its cable systems. Time Warner selected MSNBC as the secondary news channel, not Fox News. Fox News claimed this violated an agreement (to carry Fox News). Citing its agreement to keep its U.S. headquarters and a large studio in New York City, News Corporation enlisted the help of Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's administration to pressure Time Warner Cable (one of the city's two cable providers) to transmit Fox News on a city-owned channel. City officials threatened to take action affecting Time Warner's cable franchises in the city. In 2001, during the September 11 attacks, Fox News was the first news organization to run a news ticker on the bottom of the screen to keep up with the flow of information that day. The ticker has remained, and has proven popular with viewers. In January 2002, Fox News surpassed CNN in ratings for the first time. Accelerating in the 2000s, the role of conservative media and Fox News led to it being trusted by the Republican Party's base over that of traditional conservative elites, and partly led to Donald Trump's victory in the Republican primaries against the wishes of a very weak party establishment and traditional power brokers.: 27–28 Fox News subsequently became solidly pro-Trump, and cultivated deep ties between itself and the government. For his first term, nearly 20 current and former Fox News hosts received administrative and cabinet-level positions in his administration, and his second term also featured 23 current and former Fox News hosts appointed and nominated. In 2023, The Economist reported that Murdoch had "ditched a plan" to remerge News Corporation with Fox because it "faced resistance from News Corp investors unhappy at the prospect of being lumped together with Fox News, which they consider a toxic brand." Later that year, Murdoch said he would step down and that his son Lachlan would take over both Fox Corporation and News Corp, although the succession was disputed legally. In September 2025, Lachlan Murdoch secured control of Fox News, the New York Post and The Wall Street Journal in a $3.3 billion dollar deal as part of a renegotiated trust. The new trust and Lachlan's control was described as ensuring the channel's conservative slant until its expiration in 2050. Political alignment Fox News has been identified as practicing biased and false reporting in favor of the Republican Party, its politicians, and conservative causes, while portraying the Democratic Party in a negative light. Fox News has been characterized by critics, commentators, and researchers as an advocacy news organization[b] and as damaging to the integrity of news overall. It has been criticized for sharing propaganda.[c] The network is pro-Trump. During and after the 2020 presidential election, its primetime hosts promoted Trump and the Republican Party, and host Jeanine Pirro was in communication with the chair of the Republican National Committee. By 2017, a growing number of studies and academic literature found Fox's prime-time programming engaging in rhetorical and nonfactual themes similar to propaganda and not journalism or persuasion. Academic studies have argued that it has played a major role in boosting Republican turnout in American elections and that its role in American politics has been underestimated by political and communications scholars. Fox has been described as operating in an information silo where its audience views other media sources as "too liberal", and thus rely on Fox and no other forms of news media. Researchers and commentators have compared conservative Fox News as similar in purpose to liberal MSNBC, but that "the proportion of Fox News statements that are mostly false or worse is almost 50 percent higher than for MSNBC, and more than twice that of CNN". Its news coverage has gradually shifted further rightwards over time. Fox's most popular programs such as Hannity and Tucker Carlson Tonight do not make any claims to be accurate or fact-checked, and have little to no distinction between news and commentary. Media analyst Brian Stelter, who has written extensively about the network, observed in 2021 that in more recent years it had adjusted its programming to present "less news on the air and more opinions-about-the-news" throughout the day, on concerns it was losing viewers to more conservative competitors that were presenting such content. Outlets FNC maintains an archive of most of its programs. This archive also includes Movietone News series of newsreels from its now Disney-owned namesake movie studio, 20th Century Studios. Licensing for the Fox News archive is handled by ITN Source, the archiving division of ITN. FNC presents a variety of programming, with up to 15 hours of live broadcasting per day in addition to programming and content for the Fox Broadcasting Company. Most programs are broadcast from Fox News headquarters in New York City (at 1211 Avenue of the Americas), in its streetside studio on Sixth Avenue in the west wing of Rockefeller Center, sharing its headquarters with sister channel Fox Business Network. Fox News Channel has eight studios at its New York City headquarters that are used for its and Fox Business' programming: Studio B (used for Fox Business programming), Studio D (which has an area for studio audiences; no longer in current use), Studio E (used for Gutfeld! and The Journal Editorial Report), Studio F (used for The Story with Martha MacCallum, The Five, Fox Democracy 2020, Fox & Friends, Outnumbered, The Faulkner Focus, and Fox News Primetime), Studio G (which houses Fox Business shows, The Fox Report, Your World with Neil Cavuto, and Cavuto Live), Studio H (Fox News Deck used for breaking news coverage, no longer in current use), Studio J (used for America's Newsroom, Hannity, Fox News Live, Fox & Friends First, and Sunday Morning Futures) Starting in 2018, Thursday Night Football had its pregame show, Fox NFL Thursday, originating from Studio F. Another Fox Sports program, First Things First, also broadcasts from Studio E. Other such programs (such as Special Report with Bret Baier, The Ingraham Angle, Fox News @ Night, Media Buzz, and editions of Fox News Live not broadcast from the New York City studios) are broadcast from Fox News's Washington, D.C. studios, located on Capitol Hill across from Washington Union Station in a secured building shared by a number of other television networks, which includes NBC News and C-SPAN. The Next Revolution is broadcast from Fox News' Los Angeles bureau studio, which is also used for news updates coming from Los Angeles. Life, Liberty & Levin is done from Levin's personal studio in Virginia. Audio simulcasts of the channel are aired on SiriusXM Satellite Radio. In an October 11, 2009, in a New York Times article, Fox said its hard-news programming runs from "9 AM to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM on weekdays". However, it makes no such claims for its other broadcasts, which primarily consist of editorial journalism and commentary. Fox News Channel began broadcasting in the 720p resolution format on May 1, 2008. This format is available on all major cable and satellite providers. Fox News Media produces Fox News Sunday, which airs on Fox Broadcasting and re-airs on the Fox News Channel. Fox News also produces occasional special event coverage that is broadcast on Fox Business. With the growth of the FNC, the company introduced a radio division, Fox News Radio, in 2003. Syndicated throughout the United States, the division provides short newscasts and talk radio programs featuring personalities from the television and radio divisions. In 2006, the company also introduced Fox News Talk, a satellite radio station featuring programs syndicated by (and featuring) Fox News personalities. Introduced in December 1995, the Fox News website features news articles and videos about national and international news. Content on the website is divided into politics, media, U.S., and business. Fox News' articles are based on the network's broadcasts, reports from Fox affiliates and articles produced by other news agencies, such as the Associated Press. Articles are usually accompanied by a video related to the article. Fox News Latino is the version aimed at a Hispanic audience, although presented almost entirely in English, with a Spanish section. According to NewsGuard, "Much of FoxNews.com's content, particularly articles produced by beat reporters and broadcasts produced by network correspondents, is accurate and well-sourced ... However, FoxNews.com has regularly advanced false and misleading claims on topics including the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, the Russo-Ukrainian War, COVID-19, and U.S. elections". In September 2008, FNC joined other channels in introducing a live streaming segment to its website: The Strategy Room, designed to appeal to older viewers. It airs weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM and takes the form of an informal discussion, with running commentary on the news. Regular discussion programs include Business Hour, News With a View and God Talk. In March 2009, The Fox Nation was launched as a website intended to encourage readers to post articles commenting on the news. Fox News Mobile is the portion of the FNC website dedicated to streaming news clips formatted for video-enabled mobile phones. In 2018, Fox News announced that it would launch a subscription video on demand service known as Fox Nation. It serves as a companion service to FNC, carrying original and acquired talk, documentary, and reality programming designed to appeal to Fox News viewers. Some of its original programs feature Fox News personalities and contributors. Ratings and reception In 2003, Fox News saw a large ratings jump during the early stages of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. At the height of the conflict, according to some reports, Fox News had as much as a 300% increase in viewership (averaging 3.3 million viewers daily). In 2004, Fox News' ratings for its broadcast of the Republican National Convention exceeded those of the three major broadcast networks. During President George W. Bush's address, Fox News attracted 7.3 million viewers nationally; NBC, ABC, and CBS had a viewership of 5.9 million, 5.1 million, and 5.0 million respectively. Between late 2005 and early 2006, Fox News saw a brief decline in ratings. One was in the second quarter of 2006, when it lost viewers for every prime-time program compared with the previous quarter. The audience for Special Report with Brit Hume, for example, dropped 19%. Several weeks later, in the wake of the 2006 North Korean missile test and the 2006 Lebanon War, Fox saw a surge in viewership and remained the top-rated cable news channel. Fox produced eight of the top ten most-watched nightly cable news shows, with The O'Reilly Factor and Hannity & Colmes finishing first and second respectively. FNC ranked No. 8 in viewership among all cable channels in 2006, and No. 7 in 2007. The channel ranked number one during the week of Barack Obama's election (November 3–9) in 2008, and reached the top spot again in January 2010 (during the week of the special Senate election in Massachusetts). Comparing Fox to its 24-hour-news-channel competitors in May 2010, the channel drew an average daily prime-time audience of 1.8 million viewers (versus 747,000 for MSNBC and 595,000 for CNN). In September 2009, the Pew Research Center published a report on the public view of national news organizations. In the report, 72% of polled Republican Fox viewers rated the channel as "favorable", while 43% of polled Democratic viewers and 55% of all polled viewers shared that opinion. However, Fox was given the highest "unfavorable" rating of all national outlets studied (25% of all polled viewers). The report went on to say that "partisan differences in views of Fox News have increased substantially since 2007". A January 2020 Pew Research Center study found that 43% of all American adults trusted Fox News, including 65% of Republicans and people who lean Republican, while 61% of Democrats and people who lean Democratic distrusted Fox News. A Public Policy Polling poll concluded in 2013 that positive perceptions of FNC had declined from 2010. 41% of polled voters said they trust it, down from 49% in 2010, while 46% said they distrust it, up from 37% in 2010. It was also called the "most trusted" network by 34% of those polled, more than had said the same of any other network. On the night of October 22, 2012, Fox set a record for its highest-rated telecast, with 11.5 million viewers for the third U.S. presidential debate. In prime time the week before, Fox averaged almost 3.7 million viewers with a total day average of 1.66 million viewers. In prime time and total day ratings for the week of April 15 to 21, 2013, Fox News, propelled by its coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing, was the highest-ranked network on U.S. cable television, for the first time since August 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of the United States. January 2014 marked Fox News's 145th consecutive month as the highest-rated cable news channel. During that month, Fox News beat CNN and MSNBC combined in overall viewers in both prime time hours and the total day. In the third quarter of 2014, the network was the most-watched cable channel during prime time hours. During the final week of the campaign for the United States elections, 2014, Fox News had the highest ratings of any cable channel, news or otherwise. On election night itself, Fox News' coverage had higher ratings than that of any of the other five cable or network news sources among viewers between 25 and 54 years of age. The network hosted the first prime-time GOP candidates' forum of the 2016 campaign on August 6. The debate reached a record-breaking 24 million viewers, by far the largest audience for any cable news event. A 2017 study by the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University found that Fox News was the third most-shared source among supporters of Donald Trump on Twitter during the 2016 presidential election, behind The Hill and Breitbart News. In 2018, Fox News was rated by Nielsen as America's most watched cable network, averaging a record 2.4 million viewers in prime time and total day during the period of January 1 to December 30, 2018. In an October 2018 Simmons Research survey of the trust in 38 news organizations, Fox News was ranked roughly in the center, with 44.7% of surveyed Americans saying they trusted it. The COVID-19 pandemic led to increased viewership for all cable news networks. For the first calendar quarter of 2020 (January 1 – March 31), Fox News had their highest-rated quarter in the network's history, with Nielsen showing a prime time average total audience of 3.387 million viewers. Sean Hannity's program, Hannity, weeknights at 9 pm ET was the top-rated show in cable news for the quarter averaging 4.2 million viewers, a figure that not only beat out all of its cable news competition but also placed it ahead of network competition in the same time slot. Fox ended the quarter with the top five shows in prime time, with Fox's Tucker Carlson Tonight finishing the quarter in second overall with an average audience of 4.2 million viewers, followed by The Five, The Ingraham Angle, and Special Report with Bret Baier. The Rachel Maddow Show was the highest non-Fox show on cable, coming in sixth place. Finishing the quarter in 22nd place was The Lead with Jake Tapper, CNN's highest rated show. According to a Fox News article on the subject, Fox & Friends averaged 1.8 million viewers, topping CNN's New Day and MSNBC's Morning Joe combined. The same Fox News article said that the Fox Business Network also had its highest-rated quarter in history and that Fox News finished March as the highest-rated network in cable for the 45th consecutive month. According to the Los Angeles Times on August 19, 2020: "Fox News Channel had six of last week's 11 highest-rated prime-time programs to finish first in the network ratings race for the third time since June" 2020. A Morning Consult survey the week after Election Day 2020 showed 30 percent of Republicans in the United States had an unfavorable opinion of Fox News, while 54 percent of Republicans viewed the network favorably, compared to 67 percent before the election. A McClatchy news story suggested criticism from Donald Trump as a major reason, as well as the network's early calling of Arizona for Joe Biden, and later joining other networks in declaring Biden the winner of the 2020 election. Ratings were also down for Fox News. Although it remained ahead of other networks overall, its morning show fell out of first place for the first time since 2001. Trump recommended OANN, which was gaining viewers. Newsmax was also increasing in popularity. Following a decline in ratings after the 2020 U.S. presidential election, in 2021, Fox News regained its lead in cable news ratings ahead of CNN and MSNBC. As indicated by a 2013 New York Times article, based on Nielsen statistics, Fox appears to have a mostly aged demographic. In March 2024, Fox was the most watched news network in total day and prime time viewers in primetime, with 2.135 million/1.306 million viewers respectively, compared to MSNBC with A25-54 demo, 1.307 million in primetime and 830,000 in day viewers, and CNN with 601,000 in primetime and 462,000 in day viewers. In the Adults age 25-54 category, Fox also leads with 246,000 in primetime and 158,000 in day viewers, followed by MSNBC with 133,000 viewers in primetime and 86,000 viewers in day, and CNN with 124,000 viewers in primetime and 85,000 in day viewers. According to the same Nielsen analysis, MSNBC is the second most watched news network. In 2008, in the 25–54 age group, Fox News had an average of 557,000 viewers, but dropped to 379,000 in 2013 while increasing its overall audience from 1.89 million in 2010 to 2.02 million in 2013. The median age of a prime-time viewer was 68 as of 2015[update]. A 2019 Pew Research Center survey showed that among those who named Fox News as their main source for political news, 69% are aged 50 or older. According to a 2013 Gallup poll, 94% of Fox viewers "either identify as or lean Republican". The 2019 Pew survey showed that among people who named Fox News as their main source for political and election news, 93% identify as Republicans. Among the top eight political news sources named by at least 2% of American adults, the results show Fox News and MSNBC as the two news channels with the most partisan audiences. Slogan Fox News Channel originally used the slogan "Fair and Balanced", which was coined by network co-founder Roger Ailes while the network was being established. The New York Times described the slogan as being a "blunt signal that Fox News planned to counteract what Mr. Ailes and many others viewed as a liberal bias ingrained in television coverage by establishment news networks". In a 2013 interview with Peter Robinson of the Hoover Institution, Rupert Murdoch defended the company's "Fair and Balanced" slogan, saying, "In fact, you'll find just as many Democrats as Republicans on and so on". In August 2003, Fox News sued comedian Al Franken over his use of the slogan as a subtitle for his book, Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right, which is critical of Fox News Channel. The lawsuit was dropped three days later, after Judge Denny Chin refused its request for an injunction. In his decision, Chin ruled the case was "wholly without merit, both factually and legally". He went on to suggest that Fox News' trademark on the phrase "fair and balanced" could be invalid. In December 2003, FNC won a legal battle concerning the slogan, when AlterNet filed a cancellation petition with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to have FNC's trademark rescinded as inaccurate. AlterNet included Robert Greenwald's documentary film Outfoxed (2004) as supporting evidence in its case. After losing early motions, AlterNet withdrew its petition; the USPTO dismissed the case. In 2008, FNC used the slogan "We Report, You Decide", referring to "You Decide 2008" (FNC's original slogan for its coverage of election issues). In August 2016, Fox News Channel began to quietly phase out the "Fair and Balanced" slogan in favor of "Most Watched, Most Trusted"; when these changes were reported in June 2017 by Gabriel Sherman (a writer who had written a biography on Ailes), a network executive said the change "has nothing to do with programming or editorial decisions". It was speculated by media outlets that Fox News Channel was wishing to distance itself from Ailes' tenure at the network. In March 2018, the network introduced a new ad campaign, Real News. Real Honest Opinion. The ad campaign is intended to promote the network's opinion-based programming and counter perceptions surrounding "fake news". In mid-November 2020, following the election, Fox News began to use the slogan "Standing Up For What's Right" to promote its primetime lineup. Content Fox News provided extensive coverage of the 2012 Benghazi attack, which host Sean Hannity described in December 2012 as "the story that the mainstream media ignores" and "obviously, a cover-up. And we will get to the bottom of it." Programming analysis by media watchdog Media Matters, which has declared a "War on Fox News", found that during the twenty months following the Benghazi attacks, FNC ran 1,098 segments on the issue, including: Over nearly four years after the Benghazi attack, there were ten official investigations, including six by Republican-controlled House committees. None of the investigations found any evidence of scandal, cover-up or lying by Obama administration officials. From 2015 into 2018, Fox News broadcast extensive coverage of an alleged scandal surrounding the sale of Uranium One to Russian interests, which host Sean Hannity characterized as "one of the biggest scandals in American history". According to Media Matters, the Fox News coverage extended throughout the programming day, with particular emphasis by Hannity. The network promoted an ultimately unfounded narrative asserting that, as Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton personally approved the Uranium One sale in exchange for $145 million in bribes paid to the Clinton Foundation. Donald Trump repeated these allegations as a candidate and as president. No evidence of wrongdoing by Clinton had been found after four years of allegations, an FBI investigation, and the 2017 appointment of a Federal attorney to evaluate the investigation. In November 2017, Fox News host Shepard Smith concisely debunked the alleged scandal, infuriating viewers who suggested he should work for CNN or MSNBC. Hannity later called Smith "clueless", while Smith stated: "I get it, that some of our opinion programming is there strictly to be entertaining. I get that. I don't work there. I wouldn't work there." Fox News has been described as conservative media, and as providing biased reporting in favor of conservative political positions, the Republican Party, and President Donald Trump. Political scientist Jonathan Bernstein described Fox News as an expanded part of the Republican Party. Political scientists Matt Grossmann and David A. Hopkins wrote that Fox News helped "Republicans communicate with their base and spread their ideas, and they have been effective in mobilizing voters to participate in midterm elections (as in 2010 and 2014)." Prior to 2000, Fox News lacked an ideological tilt, and had more Democrats watch the channel than Republicans. During the 2004 United States presidential election, Fox News was markedly more hostile in its coverage of Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry, and distinguished itself among cable news outlets for heavy coverage of the Swift Boat smear campaign against Kerry. During President Obama's first term in office, Fox News helped launch and amplify the Tea Party movement, a conservative movement within the Republican Party that organized protests against Obama and his policies. In the 2004 documentary Outfoxed, four people identified as former employees said that Fox News made them "slant the news in favor of conservatives". Fox News said that the film misrepresented the employment of these employees. During the Republican primaries, Fox News was perceived as trying to prevent Trump from clinching the nomination. Under Trump's presidency, Fox News remade itself into his image, as hardly any criticism of Trump could be heard on Fox News' prime-time shows. In Fox News' news reporting, the network dedicated far more coverage to Hillary Clinton-related stories, which critics argued was intended to deflect attention from the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections. Trump provided significant access to Fox News during his presidency, giving 19 interviews to the channel while only 6 in total to other news channels by November 2017; The New York Times described Trump's Fox News interviews as "softball interviews" and some of the interviewers' interview styles as "fawning". In July 2018, The Economist has described the network's coverage of Trump's presidency as "reliably fawning". From 2015 to 2017, the Fox News prime-time lineup changed from being skeptical and questioning of Trump to a "Trump safe space, with a dose of Bannonist populism once considered on the fringe". The Fox News website has also become more extreme in its rhetoric since Trump's election; according to Columbia University's Tow Center for Digital Journalism, the Fox News website has "gone a little Breitbart" over time. At the start of 2018, Fox News mostly ignored high-profile scandals in the Trump administration which received ample coverage in other national media outlets, such as White House Staff Secretary Rob Porter's resignation amid domestic abuse allegations, the downgrading of Jared Kushner's security clearance, and the existence of a non-disclosure agreement between Trump and the porn star Stormy Daniels. In March 2019, Jane Mayer reported in The New Yorker that Fox News.com reporter Diana Falzone had the story of the Stormy Daniels–Donald Trump scandal before the 2016 election, but that Fox News executive Ken LaCorte told her: "Good reporting, kiddo. But Rupert [Murdoch] wants Donald Trump to win. So just let it go." The story was killed; LaCorte denied making the statement to Falzone, but conceded: "I was the person who made the call. I didn't run it upstairs to Roger Ailes or others. ... I didn't do it to protect Donald Trump." She added that "[Falzone] had put up a story that just wasn't anywhere close to being something I was comfortable publishing." Nik Richie, who claimed to be one of the sources for the story, called LaCorte's account "complete bullshit", adding that "Fox News was culpable. I voted for Trump, and I like Fox, but they did their own 'catch and kill' on the story to protect him." A 2008 study found Fox News gave disproportionate attention to polls suggesting low approval for President Bill Clinton. A 2009 study found Fox News was less likely to pick up stories that reflected well on Democrats, and more likely to pick up stories that reflected well on Republicans. A 2010 study comparing Fox News Channel's Special Report With Brit Hume and NBC's Nightly News coverage of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan during 2005 concluded "Fox News was much more sympathetic to the administration than NBC", suggesting "if scholars continue to find evidence of a partisan or ideological bias at FNC ... they should consider Fox as alternative, rather than mainstream, media". Research finds that Fox News increases Republican vote shares and makes Republican politicians more partisan. A 2007 study, using the introduction of Fox News into local markets (1996–2000) as an instrumental variable, found that in the 2000 presidential election "Republicans gained 0.4 to 0.7 percentage points in the towns that broadcast Fox News", suggesting "Fox News convinced 3 to 28 percent of its viewers to vote Republican, depending on the audience measure". These results were confirmed by a 2015 study. A 2014 study, using the same instrumental variable, found congressional "representatives become less supportive of President Clinton in districts where Fox News begins broadcasting than similar representatives in similar districts where Fox News was not broadcast." Another 2014 paper found Fox News viewing increased Republican vote shares among voters who identified as Republican or independent. A 2017 study, using channel positions as an instrumental variable, found "Fox News increases Republican vote shares by 0.3 points among viewers induced into watching 2.5 additional minutes per week by variation in position." This study used a different methodology for a later period and found an ever bigger effect and impact, leading Matthew Yglesias to write in the Political Communication academic journal that they "suggest that conventional wisdom may be greatly underestimating the significance of Fox as a factor in American politics." Fox News publicly denies it is biased, with Murdoch and Ailes saying to have included Murdoch's statement that Fox has "given room to both sides, whereas only one side had it before". In June 2009, Fox News host Chris Wallace said: "I think we are the counter-weight [to NBC News] ... they have a liberal agenda, and we tell the other side of the story." In 2004, Robert Greenwald's documentary film Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism argued Fox News had a conservative bias and featured clips from Fox News and internal memos from editorial vice president John Moody directing Fox News staff on how to report certain subjects. Fox News' most popular programs such as Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson do not make any claims to be accurate or fact-checked, and have little to no distinction between news and commentary. A leaked memo from Fox News vice president Bill Sammon to news staff at the height of the health care reform in the United States debate has been cited as an example of the pro-Republican bias of Fox News. His memo asked the staff to "use the term 'government-run health insurance,' or, when brevity is a concern, 'government option,' whenever possible". The memo was sent shortly after Republican pollster Frank Luntz advised Sean Hannity on his Fox show: "If you call it a public option, the American people are split. If you call it the government option, the public is overwhelmingly against it." Surveys suggest Fox News is widely perceived to be ideological. A 2009 Pew survey found Fox News is viewed as the most ideological channel in America, with 47 percent of those surveyed said Fox News is "mostly conservative", 14 percent said "mostly liberal" and 24 percent said "neither". In comparison, MSNBC had 36 percent identify it as "mostly liberal", 11 percent as "mostly conservative" and 27 percent as "neither". CNN had 37 percent describe it as "mostly liberal", 11 percent as "mostly conservative" and 33 percent as "neither". A 2004 Pew Research Center survey found FNC was cited (unprompted) by 69 percent of national journalists as a conservative news organization. A Rasmussen poll found 31 percent of Americans felt Fox News had a conservative bias, and 15 percent that it had a liberal bias. It found 36 percent believed Fox News delivers news with neither a conservative or liberal bias, compared with 37 percent who said NPR delivers news with no conservative or liberal bias and 32 percent who said the same of CNN. David Carr, media critic for The New York Times, praised the 2012 United States presidential election results coverage on Fox News for the network's response to Republican adviser and Fox News contributor Karl Rove challenging its call that Barack Obama would win Ohio and the election. Fox's prediction was correct. Carr wrote: "Over many months, Fox lulled its conservative base with agitprop: that President Obama was a clear failure, that a majority of Americans saw [Mitt] Romney as a good alternative in hard times, and that polls showing otherwise were politically motivated and not to be believed. But on Tuesday night, the people in charge of Fox News were confronted with a stark choice after it became clear that Mr. Romney had fallen short: was Fox, first and foremost, a place for advocacy or a place for news? In this moment, at least, Fox chose news." A May 2017 study conducted by Harvard University's Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy examined coverage of Trump's first 100 days in office by several major mainstream media outlets including Fox. It found Trump received 80% negative coverage from the overall media, and received the least negative coverage on Fox – 52% negative and 48% positive. On March 14, 2017, Andrew Napolitano, a Fox News commentator, claimed on Fox & Friends that British intelligence agency GCHQ had wiretapped Trump on behalf of Barack Obama during the 2016 United States presidential election. On March 16, 2017, White House spokesman Sean Spicer repeated the claim. When Trump was questioned about the claim at a news conference, he said "All we did was quote a certain very talented legal mind who was the one responsible for saying that on television. I didn't make an opinion on it." On March 17, 2017, Shepard Smith, a Fox News anchor, admitted the network had no evidence that Trump was under surveillance. British officials said the White House was backing off the claim. Napolitano was later suspended by Fox News for making the claim. In June 2018, Fox News executives instructed producers to head off inappropriate remarks made on the shows aired by the network by hosts and commentators. The instructions came after a number of Fox News hosts and guests made incendiary comments about the Trump administration's policy of separating migrant children from their parents. Fox News host Laura Ingraham had likened the child detention centers that the children were in to "summer camps". Guest Corey Lewandowski mocked the story of a 10-year-old child with Down syndrome being separated from her mother; the Fox News host did not address Lewandowski's statement. Guest Ann Coulter falsely claimed that the separated children were "child actors"; the Fox News host did not challenge her claim. In a segment on Trump's alleged use of racial dog whistles, one Fox News contributor told an African-American whom he was debating: "You're out of your cotton-picking mind." According to the 2016 book Asymmetric Politics by political scientists Matt Grossmann and David A. Hopkins, "Fox News tends to raise the profile of scandals and controversies involving Democrats that receive scant attention in other media, such as the relationship between Barack Obama and William Ayers ... Hillary Clinton's role in the fatal 2012 attacks on the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya; the gun-running scandal known as 'Fast and Furious'; the business practices of federal loan guarantee recipient Solyndra; the past activism of Obama White House operative Van Jones; the 2004 attacks on John Kerry by the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth; the controversial sermons of Obama's Chicago pastor Jeremiah Wright; the filming of undercover videos of supposed wrongdoing by the liberal activist group ACORN; and the 'war on Christmas' supposedly waged every December by secular, multicultural liberals." In October 2018, Fox News ran laudatory coverage of a meeting between Trump-supporting rapper Kanye West and President Trump in the Oval Office. Fox News had previously run negative coverage of rappers and their involvement with Democratic politicians and causes, such as when Fox News ran headlines describing conscious hip-hop artist Common as "vile" and a "cop-killer rapper", and when Fox News ran negative coverage of Kanye West before he became a Trump supporter. On November 4, 2018, Trump's website, DonaldJTrump.com, announced in a press release that Fox News host Sean Hannity would make a "special guest appearance" with Trump at a midterm campaign rally the following night in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The following morning, Hannity tweeted "To be clear, I will not be on stage campaigning with the President." Hannity appeared at the president's lectern on stage at the rally, immediately mocking the "fake news" at the back of the auditorium, Fox News reporters among them. Several Fox News employees expressed outrage at Hannity's actions, with one stating that "a new line was crossed". Hannity later asserted that his action was not pre-planned, and Fox News stated it "does not condone any talent participating in campaign events". Fox News host Jeanine Pirro also appeared on stage with Trump at the rally. The Trump press release was later removed from Trump's website. Fox News released a poll of registered voters, jointly conducted by two polling organizations, on June 16, 2019. The poll found some unfavorable results for Trump, including a record high 50% thought the Trump campaign had coordinated with the Russian government, and 50% thought he should be impeached – 43% saying he should also be removed from office – while 48% said they did not favor impeachment. The next morning on Fox & Friends First, host Heather Childers twice misrepresented the poll results, stating "a new Fox News poll shows most voters don't want impeachment" and "at least half of U.S. voters do not think President Trump should be impeached," while the on-screen display of the actual poll question was also incorrect. Later that morning on America's Newsroom, the on-screen display showed the correct poll question and results, but highlighted the 48% of respondents who opposed impeachment rather than the 50% who supported it (the latter being broken-out into two figures). As host Bill Hemmer drew guest Byron York's attention to the 48% opposed figure, they did not discuss the 50% support figure, while the on-screen chyron read: "Fox News Poll: 43% Support Trump's Impeachment and Removal, 48% Oppose." Later that day, Trump tweeted: "@FoxNews Polls are always bad for me...Something weird going on at Fox." In April 2017, it became known that former Obama administration national security advisor Susan Rice sought the unmasking of Trump associates who were unidentified in intelligence reports, notably Trump's incoming national security advisor Michael Flynn, during the presidential transition. In May 2020, acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell, a Trump loyalist, declassified a list of Obama administration officials who had also requested unmasking of Trump associates, which was subsequently publicly released by Republican senators. That month, attorney general Bill Barr appointed federal prosecutor John Bash to examine the unmaskings. Fox News primetime hosts declared the unmaskings a "domestic spying operation" for which the Obama administration was "exposed" in the "biggest abuse of power" in American history. The Bash inquiry closed months later with no findings of substantive wrongdoing. However, certain Fox personalities have not had as much of a favorable reception from Trump: news anchors Shepard Smith (who retired from Fox in 2019) and Chris Wallace have been criticized by Trump for allegedly being adversarial, alongside Fox analyst Andrew Napolitano, who said Trump's actions in the Trump–Ukraine scandal were "both criminal and impeachable behavior". Trump was also critical of the network hiring former DNC chair Donna Brazile, in 2019. The relationship between Trump and Fox News, as well as other Rupert Murdoch-controlled outlets, soured following the 2020 United States presidential election, as Trump refused to concede that Joe Biden had been elected President-elect. This negative tonal shift led to increased viewership of Newsmax and One America News among Trump and his supporters due to their increased antipathy towards Fox; and as a result, Fox released promotional videos of their opinion hosts disputing the election results, promoting a Trump-affiliated conspiracy theory about voter fraud. By one measure, Newsmax saw a 497% spike in viewership, while Fox News saw a 38% decline. Writing for the Poynter Institute for Media Studies in February 2021, senior media writer Tom Jones argued that the primary distinction between Fox News and MSNBC is not right bias vs. left bias, but rather that much of the content on Fox News, especially during its primetime programs, "is not based in truth". The Tampa Bay Times reported in August 2021 that it had reviewed four months of emails indicating Fox News producers had coordinated with aides of Florida governor Ron DeSantis to promote his political prospects by inviting him for frequent network appearances, exchanging talking points and, in one case, helping him to stage an exclusive news event. In February 2024, Alan Rosenblatt of Johns Hopkins University said that Fox News "is an entertainment company that has a news division, not a news company", adding that it "not only does not provide that distinction, it goes out of its way to make it difficult to see the difference. They make their opinion programs look like news programs, and they incorporate enough opinion content on their news programs to further that deception." In early 2024, Fox News host Jesse Watters promoted a conspiracy theory involving Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, and the Democratic Party in hopes of influencing voters ahead of the U.S. presidential primary season. Fox News has published headlines accusing the English Wikipedia of having a left-wing and socialist bias. On October 30, 2017, when special counsel Robert Mueller indicted Paul Manafort and Rick Gates, and revealed George Papadopoulos had pleaded guilty (all of whom were involved in the Trump 2016 campaign), this was the focus of most media's coverage, except Fox News'. Hosts and guests on Fox News called for Mueller to be fired. Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson focused their shows on unsubstantiated allegations that Clinton sold uranium to Russia in exchange for donations to the Clinton Foundation and on the Clinton campaign's role in funding the Steele dossier. Hannity asserted: "The very thing they are accusing President Trump of doing, they did it themselves." During the segment, Hannity mistakenly referred to Clinton as President Clinton. Fox News dedicated extensive coverage to the uranium story, which Democrats said was an attempt to distract from Mueller's intensifying investigation. CNN described the coverage as "a tour de force in deflection and dismissal". On October 31, CNN reported Fox News employees were dissatisfied with their outlet's coverage of the Russia investigation, with employees calling it an "embarrassment", "laughable", and saying it "does the viewer a huge disservice and further divides the country" and that it is "another blow to journalists at Fox who come in every day wanting to cover the news in a fair and objective way". When the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election intensified in October 2017, the focus of Fox News coverage turned "what they see as the scandal and wrongdoing of President Trump's political opponents. In reports like these, Bill and Hillary Clinton are prominent and recurring characters because they are considered the real conspirators working with the Russians to undermine American democracy." Paul Waldman of The Washington Post described the coverage as "No puppet. You're the puppet", saying it was a "careful, coordinated, and comprehensive strategy" to distract from Mueller's investigation. German Lopes of Vox said Fox News' coverage has reached "levels of self-parody" as it dedicated coverage to low-key stories, such as a controversial Newsweek op-ed and hamburger emojis, while other networks had wall-to-wall coverage of Mueller's indictments. A FiveThirtyEight analysis of Russia-related media coverage in cable news found most mentions of Russia on Fox News were spoken in close proximity to "uranium" and "dossier". On November 1, 2017, Vox analyzed the transcripts of Fox News, CNN and MSNBC, and found Fox News "was unable to talk about the Mueller investigation without bringing up Hillary Clinton", "talked significantly less about George Papadopoulos—the Trump campaign adviser whose plea deal with Mueller provides the most explicit evidence thus far that the campaign knew of the Russian government's efforts to help Trump—than its competitors", and "repeatedly called Mueller's credibility into question". In December 2017, Fox News escalated its attacks on the Mueller investigation, with hosts and guest commentators suggesting the investigation amounted to a coup. Guest co-host Kevin Jackson referred to a right-wing conspiracy theory claiming Strzok's messages are evidence of a plot by FBI agents to assassinate Trump, a claim which the other Fox co-hosts quickly said is not supported by any credible evidence. Fox News host Jeanine Pirro called the Mueller investigation team a "criminal cabal" and said the team ought to be arrested. Other Fox News figures referred to the investigation as "corrupt", "crooked", and "illegitimate", and likened the FBI to the KGB, the Soviet-era spy organization that routinely tortured and summarily executed people. Political scientists and scholars of coups described the Fox News rhetoric as scary and dangerous. Experts on coups rejected that the Mueller investigation amounted to a coup; rather, the Fox News rhetoric was dangerous to democracy and mirrored the kind of rhetoric that occurs before purges. A number of observers argued the Fox News rhetoric was intended to discredit the Mueller investigation and sway President Donald Trump to fire Mueller. In August 2018, Fox News was criticized for giving more prominent coverage of a murder committed by an undocumented immigrant than the convictions of Donald Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, and his long-term personal attorney, Michael Cohen. At the same time, most other national mainstream media gave wall-to-wall coverage of the convictions. Fox News hosts Dana Perrino and Jason Chaffetz argued that voters care far more about the murder than the convictions of the President's former top aides, and hosts Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity downplayed the convictions. In November 2017, following the 2017 New York City truck attack wherein a terrorist shouted "Allahu Akbar", Fox News distorted a statement by Jake Tapper to make it appear as if he had said "Allahu Akbar" can be used under the most "beautiful circumstances". Fox News omitted that Tapper had said the use of "Allahu Akbar" in the terrorist attack was not one of these beautiful circumstances. A headline on FoxNews.com was preceded by a tag reading "OUTRAGEOUS". The Fox News Twitter account distorted the statement further, saying "Jake Tapper Says 'Allahu Akbar' Is 'Beautiful' Right After NYC Terror Attack" in a tweet that was later deleted. Tapper chastised Fox News for choosing to "deliberately lie" and said "there was a time when one could tell the difference between Fox and the nutjobs at Infowars. It's getting tougher and tougher. Lies are lies." In 2009, Tapper had come to the defense of Fox News while he was a White House correspondent for ABC News, after the Obama administration claimed that the network was not a legitimate news organization. Fox News guest host Jason Chaffetz apologized to Tapper for misrepresenting his statement. After Fox News had deleted the tweet, Sean Hannity repeated the misrepresentation and called Tapper "liberal fake news CNN's fake Jake Tapper" and mocked his ratings. In July 2017, a report by Fox & Friends falsely said The New York Times had disclosed intelligence in one of its stories and that this intelligence disclosure helped Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State, to evade capture. The report cited an inaccurate assertion by Gen. Tony Thomas, the head of the United States Special Operations Command, that a major newspaper had disclosed the intelligence. Fox News said it was The New York Times, repeatedly running the chyron "NYT Foils U.S. Attempt To Take Out Al-Bahgdadi". Pete Hegseth, one of the show's hosts, criticized the "failing New York Times". President Donald Trump tweeted about the Fox & Friends report shortly after it first aired, saying "The Failing New York Times foiled U.S. attempt to kill the single most wanted terrorist, Al-Baghdadi. Their sick agenda over National Security." Fox News later updated the story, but without apologizing to The New York Times or responding directly to the inaccuracies. In a Washington Post column, Erik Wemple said Chris Wallace had covered The New York Times story himself on Fox News Sunday, adding: "Here's another case of the differing standards between Fox News's opinion operation", which has given "a state-run vibe on all matters related to Trump", compared to Fox News's news operation, which has provided "mostly sane coverage". Fox News has often been described as a major platform for climate change denial.[a] A 2011 study by Lauren Feldman and Anthony Leiserowitz found Fox News "takes a more dismissive tone toward climate change than CNN and MSNBC". A 2008 study found Fox News emphasized the scientific uncertainty of climate change more than CNN, was less likely to say climate change was real, and more likely to interview climate change skeptics. Leaked emails showed that in 2009 Bill Sammon, the Fox News Washington managing editor, instructed Fox News journalists to dispute the scientific consensus on climate change and "refrain from asserting that the planet has warmed (or cooled) in any given period without IMMEDIATELY pointing out that such theories are based upon data that critics have called into question." According to climate scientist Michael E. Mann, Fox News "has constructed an alternative universe where the laws of physics no longer apply, where the greenhouse effect is a myth, and where climate change is a hoax, the product of a massive conspiracy among scientists, who somehow have gotten the polar bears, glaciers, sea levels, superstorms, and megadroughts to play along." According to James Lawrence Powell's 2011 study of the climate science denial movement, Fox News provides "the deniers with a platform to say whatever they like without fear of contradiction." Fox News employs Steve Milloy, a prominent climate change denier with close financial and organizational ties to oil companies, as a contributor. In his columns about climate change for FoxNews.com, Fox News has failed to disclose his substantial funding from oil companies. In 2011, the hosts of Fox & Friends described climate change as "unproven science", a "disputed fact", and criticized the Department of Education for working together with the children's network Nickelodeon to teach children about climate change. In 2001, Sean Hannity described the scientific consensus on climate change as "phony science from the left". In 2004, he falsely alleged that "scientists still can't agree on whether the global warming is scientific fact or fiction". In 2010, Hannity said the so-called "Climategate" – the leaking of e-mails by climate scientist that climate change skeptics claimed demonstrated scientific misconduct but which all subsequent enquiries have found no evidence of misconduct or wrongdoing – a "scandal" that "exposed global warming as a myth cooked up by alarmists". Hannity frequently invites contrarian fringe scientists and critics of climate change to his shows. In 2019, a widely shared Fox News news report falsely claimed that new climate science research showed that the Earth might be heading to a new Ice Age; the author of the study that Fox News cited said that Fox News "utterly misrepresents our research" and the study did not in any way suggest that Earth was heading to an Ice Age. Fox News later corrected the story. Shepard Smith drew attention for being one of few voices formerly on Fox News to forcefully state that climate change is real, that human activities are a primary contributor to it and that there is a scientific consensus on the issue. His acceptance of the scientific consensus on climate change drew criticism from Fox News viewers and conservatives. Smith left Fox News in October 2019. In a 2021 interview with Christiane Amanpour on her eponymous show on CNN, he stated that his presence on Fox had become "untenable" due to the "falsehoods" and "lies" intentionally spread on the network's opinion shows. On May 16, 2017, a day when other news organizations were extensively covering Donald Trump's revelation of classified information to Russia, Fox News ran a lead story about a private investigator's uncorroborated claims about the murder of Seth Rich, a DNC staffer. The private investigator said he had uncovered evidence that Rich was in contact with WikiLeaks and law enforcement were covering it up. The killing of Rich has given rise to conspiracy theories in right-wing circles that Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party had Seth Rich killed allegedly because he was the source of the DNC leaks. U.S. intelligence agencies determined Russia was the source of the leaks. In reporting the investigator's claims, the Fox News report reignited right-wing conspiracy theories about the killing. The Fox News story fell apart within hours. Other news organizations quickly revealed the investigator was a Donald Trump supporter and had according to NBC News "developed a reputation for making outlandish claims, such as one appearance on Fox News in 2007 in which he warned that underground networks of pink pistol-toting lesbian gangs were raping young women." The family of Seth Rich, the Washington D.C. police department, the Washington D.C. mayor's office, the FBI, and law enforcement sources familiar with the case rebuked the investigator's claims. Rich's relatives said: "We are a family who is committed to facts, not fake evidence that surfaces every few months to fill the void and distract law enforcement and the general public from finding Seth's murderers." The spokesperson for the family criticized Fox News for its reporting, alleging the outlet was motivated by a desire to deflect attention from the Trump-Russia story: "I think there's a very special place in hell for people that would use the memory of a murder victim in order to pursue a political agenda." The family has called for retractions and apologies from Fox News for the inaccurate reporting. Over the course of the day, Fox News altered the contents of the story and the headline, but did not issue corrections. When CNN contacted the private investigator later that day, the investigator said he had no evidence that Rich had contacted WikiLeaks. The investigator claimed he only learned about the possible existence of the evidence from a Fox News reporter. Fox News did not respond to inquiries by CNN, and the Washington Post. Fox News later on May 23, seven days after the story was published, retracted its original report, saying the original report did not meet its standards. Nicole Hemmer, then assistant professor at the Miller Center of Public Affairs, wrote that the promotion of the conspiracy theory demonstrated how Fox News was "remaking itself in the image of fringe media in the age of Trump, blurring the lines between real and fake news." Max Boot of the Council on Foreign Relations said while intent behind Fox News, as a counterweight to the liberal media was laudable, the culmination of those efforts have been to create an alternative news source that promotes hoaxes and myths, of which the promotion of the Seth Rich conspiracy is an example. Fox News was also criticized by conservative outlets, such as The Weekly Standard, National Review, and conservative columnists, such as Jennifer Rubin, Michael Gerson, and John Podhoretz. Rich's parents, Joel and Mary Rich, sued Fox News for the emotional distress it had caused them by its false reporting. In 2020, Fox News settled with Rich family, making a payment that was not officially disclosed but which was reported to be in the seven figures. Although the settlement had been agreed to earlier in the year, Fox News arranged to delay the public announcement until after the 2020 presidential election. Fox News hosts and contributors defended Trump's remarks that "many sides" were to blame for violence at a gathering of hundreds of white nationalists in Charlottesville, Virginia. Some criticized Trump. In a press conference on August 15, Trump used the term "alt-left" to describe counterprotesters at the white supremacist rally, a term which had been used in Fox News' coverage of the white supremacist rally. Several of Trump's comments at the press conference mirrored those appearing earlier on Fox News. According to Dylan Byers of CNN, Fox News' coverage on the day of the press conference "was heavy with "whataboutism". The average Fox viewer was likely left with the impression that the media's criticism of Trump and leftist protestors' toppling of some Confederate statues were far greater threats to America than white supremacism or the president's apparent defense of bigotry." Byers wrote "it showed that if Fox News has a line when it comes to Trump's presidency, it was not crossed on Tuesday." During Glenn Beck's tenure at Fox News, he became one of the most high-profile proponents of conspiracy theories about George Soros, a Jewish Hungarian-American businessman and philanthropist known for his donations to American liberal political causes. Beck regularly described Soros as a "puppet-master" and used common anti-Semitic tropes to describe Soros and his activities. In a 2010 three-part series, Beck depicted George Soros as a cartoonish villain trying to "form a shadow government, using humanitarian aid as a cover", and that Soros wanted a one-world government. Beck promoted the false and anti-Semitic conspiracy theory that Soros was a Nazi collaborator as a 14-year-old in Nazi-occupied Hungary. Beck also characterized Soros's mother as a "wildly anti-Semitic" Nazi collaborator. According to The Washington Post: "Beck's series was largely considered obscene and delusional, if not outright anti-Semitic", but Beck's conspiracy theory became common on the right-wing of American politics. Amid criticism of Beck's false smears, Fox News defended Beck, stating "information regarding Mr. Soros's experiences growing up were taken directly from his writings and from interviews given by him to the media, and no negative opinion was offered as to his actions as a child." Roger Ailes, then-head of Fox News, dismissed criticism levied at Beck by hundreds of rabbis, saying that they were "left-wing rabbis who basically don't think that anybody can ever use the word, Holocaust, on the air." During the first few weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Fox News was considerably more likely than other mainstream news outlets to promote misinformation about COVID-19. The network promoted the narrative that the emergency response to the pandemic was politically motivated or otherwise unwarranted, with Sean Hannity explicitly calling it a "hoax" (he later denied doing so) and other hosts downplaying it. This coverage was consistent with the messaging of Trump at the time. Only in mid March did the network change the tone of its coverage, after President Trump declared a national emergency. At the same time that Fox News commentators downplayed the threat of the virus in public, Fox's management and the Murdoch family took a broad range of internal measures to protect themselves and their employees against it. Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham, two of Fox News's primetime hosts, promoted use of the drug hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19, an off-label usage which at the time was supported only by anecdotal evidence, after it was touted by Trump as a possible cure. Fox News promoted a conspiracy theory that coronavirus death toll numbers were inflated with people who would have died anyway from preexisting conditions. This was disputed by White House coronavirus task force members Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx, with Fauci describing conspiracy theories as "nothing but distractions" during public health crises. Later in the pandemic, Hannity, Ingraham and Carlson promoted the use of livestock dewormer ivermectin as a possible COVID-19 treatment. Studies have linked trust in Fox News, as well as viewership of Fox News, with fewer preventive behaviors and more risky behaviors related to COVID-19. Once a COVID-19 vaccine became widely available, Fox News consistently questioned the efficacy and safety of the vaccine, celebrated evidence-free skepticism, and blasted attempts to promote vaccinations. More than 90% of Fox Corporation's full-time employees had been fully vaccinated by September 2021. After Trump's defeat in the 2020 presidential election, Fox News host Jeanine Pirro promoted baseless allegations on her program that voting machine company Smartmatic and its competitor Dominion Voting Systems had conspired to rig the election against Trump. Hosts Lou Dobbs and Maria Bartiromo also promoted the allegations on their programs on sister network Fox Business. In December 2020, Smartmatic sent a letter to Fox News demanding retractions and threatening legal action, specifying that retractions "must be published on multiple occasions" so as to "match the attention and audience targeted with the original defamatory publications." Days later, each of the three programs aired the same three-minute video segment consisting of an interview with an election technology expert who refuted the allegations promoted by the hosts, responding to questions from an unseen and unidentified man. None of the three hosts personally issued retractions. Smartmatic filed a $2.7 billion defamation suit against the network, the three hosts, Powell and Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani in February 2021. In an April 2021 court brief seeking dismissal of the suit, Fox attorney Paul Clement argued that the network was simply "reporting allegations made by a sitting President and his lawyers." A New York State Supreme Court judge ruled in March 2022 that the suit could proceed, though he dismissed allegations against Sidney Powell and Pirro, and some claims against Giuliani. The judge allowed allegations against Bartiromo and Dobbs to stand. The New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division unanimously rejected a Fox News bid to dismiss the Smartmatic suit in February 2023. The court reinstated defamation allegations against Giuliani and Pirro. In December 2020, Dominion Voting Systems sent a similar letter demanding retractions to Trump attorney Sidney Powell, who had promoted the allegations on Fox programs. On March 26, 2021, Dominion filed a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News, alleging that Fox and some of its pundits spread conspiracy theories about Dominion, and allowed guests to make false statements about the company. On May 18, 2021, Fox News filed a motion to dismiss the Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit, asserting a First Amendment right "to inform the public about newsworthy allegations of paramount public concern." The motion to dismiss was denied on December 16, 2021, by a Delaware Superior Court judge. In addition to Bartiromo, Dobbs, and Pirro, the suit also names primetime hosts Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity. Venezuelan businessman Majed Khalil sued Fox, Dobbs and Powell for $250 million in December 2021, alleging they had falsely implicated him in rigging Dominion and Smartmatic machines. Dobbs and Fox News reached a confidential settlement with Khalil in April 2023. Fox News was the only major network or cable news outlet to not carry the first televised prime time hearing of the January 6 committee live; its regular programming of Tucker Carlson Tonight and Hannity was aired without commercial breaks. During the weeks following the election, Carlson and Hannity often amplified Trump's election falsehoods on their programs; previously disclosed text messages between Hannity and White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany were presented during the hearing. Hannity told his audience, "Unlike this committee and their cheerleaders in the media mob, we will actually be telling you the truth," while Carlson said, "This is the only hour on an American news channel that won't be covering their propaganda live. They are lying and we are not going to help them do it." In June 2022, a Delaware Superior Court judge again declined to dismiss the Dominion suit against Fox News, and also allowed Dominion to sue the network's corporate parent, Fox Corporation. The judge ruled that Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch may have acted with actual malice because there was a reasonable inference they "either knew Dominion had not manipulated the election or at least recklessly disregarded the truth when they allegedly caused Fox News to propagate its claims about Dominion." He noted a report that Rupert Murdoch spoke with Trump a few days after the election and informed him that he had lost. The New York Times reported in December 2022 that Dominion had acquired communications between Fox News executives and hosts, and between a Fox Corporation employee and the Trump White House, showing they knew that what the network was reporting was untrue. Dominion attorneys said hosts Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson, and Fox executives, attested to this in sworn depositions. In November 2020, Hannity hosted Sidney Powell, who asserted Dominion machines had been rigged, but said in his deposition, "I did not believe it for one second." A February 2023 Dominion court filing showed Fox News primetime hosts messaging each other to insult and mock Trump advisers, indicating the hosts knew the allegations made by Powell and Giuliani were false. Rupert Murdoch messaged that Trump's voter fraud claims were "really crazy stuff," telling Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott that it was "terrible stuff damaging everybody, I fear." As a January 2021 Georgia runoff election approached that would determine party control of the U.S. Senate, Murdoch told Scott, "Trump will concede eventually and we should concentrate on Georgia, helping any way we can." After the 2016 election, the network developed a cutting-edge system to call elections, which proved very successful during the 2018 midterm elections. The network was the first to call the 2020 Arizona race for Biden, angering many viewers. Washington managing editor Bill Sammon supervised the network's Decision Desk that made the call. Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, the network's main news anchors, suggested during a high-level conference call that relying solely on data to make the call was inadequate and that viewer reaction should also be considered; MacCallum said, "in a Trump environment, the game is just very, very different." Sammon stood by the 2020 call and was fired by the network after the January 2021 Georgia runoff. In 2023, Rupert Murdoch was deposed and testified that some Fox News commentators were endorsing election fraud claims they knew were false. In February 2023, Fox's internal communications were released, showing that its presenters and senior executives privately doubted Donald Trump's claims of a stolen election. Chairman Rupert Murdoch once described Trump's voter fraud claims as "really crazy stuff", and also said that Trump advisers Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell's television appearances were "terrible stuff damaging everybody". One November 2020 exchange showed Tucker Carlson accusing Powell of "lying ... I caught her. It's insane", with Laura Ingraham responding that "Sidney is a complete nut. No one will work with her. Ditto with Rudy". In another exchange that month, Carlson called for Fox journalist Jacqui Heinrich to be "fired" because she fact-checked Trump and said that there was no evidence of voter fraud from Dominion. Carlson said that Heinrich's actions "needs to stop immediately, like tonight. It's measurably hurting the company. The stock price is down", while Heinrich deleted the fact-check the next morning. In March 2023, more of Fox's internal communications were released. One November 2020 communication showed Fox CEO Suzanne Scott criticizing fact-checking, stating that she cannot "keep defending these reporters who don't understand our viewers and how to handle stories ... The audience feels like we crapped on" them, and Fox was losing their audience's "trust and belief" in them. Another December 2020 communication showed Scott responding to Fox presenter Eric Shawn's fact-checking of Donald Trump's false 2020 election claims by demanding that the fact-checking "has to stop now ... This is bad business ... The audience is furious." On March 31, 2023, Delaware Superior Court judge Eric Davis ruled in a summary judgment that it "is CRYSTAL clear that none of the statements relating to Dominion about the 2020 election are true" and ordered for the case to go to trial. On April 18, 2023, Fox News reached a settlement with Dominion just before the trial started, concluding the lawsuit; Fox agreed to pay Dominion $787.5 million, and further stated: "We acknowledge the Court's rulings finding certain claims about Dominion to be false". In April 2021, at least five Fox News and Fox Business personalities amplified a story published by the Daily Mail, a British tabloid, that incorrectly linked a university study to President Joe Biden's climate change agenda, to falsely assert that Americans would be compelled to dramatically reduce their meat consumption to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions caused by flatulence. Fox News aired a graphic detailing the supposed compulsory reductions, falsely indicating the information came from the Agriculture Department, which numerous Republican politicians and commentators tweeted. Fox News anchor John Roberts reported to "say goodbye to your burgers if you want to sign up to the Biden climate agenda." Days later, Roberts acknowledged on air that the story was false. According to analysis by Media Matters, on May 12, 2021, Fox News reported on its website: "Biden resumes border wall construction after promising to halt it". Correspondent Bill Melugin then appeared on Special Report with Bret Baier to report "the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is actually going to be restarting border wall construction down in the Rio Grande Valley" after "a lot of blowback and pressure from local residents and local politicians." After the Corps of Engineers tweeted a clarification, Melugin deleted a tweet about the story and tweeted an "update" clarifying that a levee wall was being constructed to mitigate damage to flood control systems caused by uncompleted wall construction, and the website story headline was changed to "Biden administration to resume border wall levee construction as crisis worsens." Later on Fox News Primetime, host Brian Kilmeade briefly noted the levee but commented to former Trump advisor Stephen Miller: "They're going to restart building the wall again, Stephen." Fox News host Sean Hannity later broadcast the original Melugin story without any mention of the levee. Media Matters reported in September 2024 that during the Biden presidency Fox News had promoted a false "crime crisis" narrative, particularly directed toward undocumented migrants, which reflected Donald Trump's political rhetoric. The Fox News narrative consisted of reported violent crime anecdotes rather than FBI crime rate statistics showing violent crime had declined significantly since 2020. One Fox host, Ainsley Earhardt, said that even if the FBI data were right, "we're all a little bit more scared than we used to be." Later that month, weeks before the 2024 presidential election, the FBI released crime data for 2023 showing that violent crime had declined 3% from 2022. The report was widely covered by mainstream news outlets that day, though the Fox News coverage was limited to a 28-second segment by evening anchor Bret Baier. He reported "critics say the report is not accurate because it does not include big cities," echoing a false assertion made by Elon Musk and other Trump supporters on social media. Controversies The network has been accused of permitting sexual harassment and racial discrimination by on-air hosts, executives, and employees, paying out millions of dollars in legal settlements. Prominent Fox News figures such as Roger Ailes, Bill O'Reilly and Eric Bolling were fired after many women accused them of sexual harassment. At least four lawsuits alleged Fox News co-president Bill Shine ignored, enabled or concealed Roger Ailes' alleged sexual harassment. Fox News CEO Rupert Murdoch has dismissed the high-profile sexual misconduct allegations as "largely political" and speculated they were made "because we are conservative". Bill O'Reilly and Fox News settled six agreements, totaling $45 million, with women who accused O'Reilly of sexual harassment. In January 2017, shortly after Bill O'Reilly settled a sexual harassment lawsuit for $32 million ("an extraordinarily large amount for such cases"), Fox News renewed Bill O'Reilly's contract. Fox News's parent company, 21st Century Fox, said it was aware of the lawsuit. The contract between O'Reilly and Fox News read he could not be fired from the network unless sexual harassment allegations were proven in court. Fox News's extensive coverage of the Harvey Weinstein scandal in October 2017 was seen by some as hypocritical. Fox News dedicated at least 12 hours of coverage to the Weinstein scandal, yet only dedicated 20 minutes to Bill O'Reilly, who just like Weinstein had been accused of sexual harassment by a multitude of women. A few weeks later, when a number of females under the age of 18, including a 14-year-old, accused Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore of making sexual advances, Hannity dismissed the sexual misconduct allegations and dedicated coverage on his television show to casting doubt on the accusers. Other prime-time Fox News hosts Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham queried The Washington Post's reporting or opted to bring up sexual misconduct allegations regarding show business figures such as Harvey Weinstein and Louis C.K. Fox News figures Jeanine Pirro and Gregg Jarrett questioned both the validity of The Washington Post's reporting and that of the women. In December 2017, a few days before the Alabama Senate election, Fox News, along with the conspiracy websites Breitbart News and The Gateway Pundit, ran an inaccurate headline which claimed one of Roy Moore's accusers admitted to forging an inscription by Roy Moore in her yearbook; Fox News later added a correction to the story. A number of Fox News hosts have welcomed Bill O'Reilly to their shows and paid tributes to Roger Ailes after his death. In May 2017, Hannity called Ailes "a second father" and said to Ailes's "enemies" that he was "preparing to kick your a** in the next life". Ailes had the year before been fired from Fox News after women alleged he sexually harassed them. In September 2017, several months after Bill O'Reilly was fired from Fox News in the wake of women alleging he sexually harassed them, Hannity hosted O'Reilly on his show. Some Fox News employees criticized the decision. According to CNN, during the interview, Hannity found kinship with O'Reilly as he appeared "to feel that he and O'Reilly have both become victims of liberals looking to silence them." In September 2009, the Obama administration engaged in a verbal conflict with Fox News Channel. On September 20, President Barack Obama appeared on all major news programs except Fox News, a snub partially in response to remarks about him by commentators Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity and Fox coverage of Obama's health-care proposal. In late September 2009, Obama's senior advisor David Axelrod and Roger Ailes met in secret to attempt to smooth out tensions between the two camps. Two weeks later, White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel referred to FNC as "not a news network" and communications director Anita Dunn said "Fox News often operates as either the research arm or the communications arm of the Republican Party". Obama commented: "If media is operating basically as a talk radio format, then that's one thing, and if it's operating as a news outlet, then that's another." Emanuel said it was important "to not have the CNNs and the others in the world basically be led in following Fox". Within days, it was reported that Fox had been excluded from an interview with administration official Ken Feinberg, with bureau chiefs from the White House press pool (ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN) coming to Fox's defense. A bureau chief said: "If any member had been excluded it would have been the same thing, it has nothing to do with Fox or the White House or the substance of the issues." Shortly after the story broke, the White House admitted to a low-level mistake, saying Fox had not made a specific request to interview Feinberg. Fox White House correspondent Major Garrett said he had not made a specific request, but had a "standing request from me as senior White House correspondent on Fox to interview any newsmaker at the Treasury at any given time news is being made". On November 8, 2009, the Los Angeles Times reported an unnamed Democratic consultant was warned by the White House not to appear on Fox News again. According to the article, Dunn claimed in an e-mail to have checked with colleagues who "deal with TV issues" who denied telling anyone to avoid Fox. Patrick Caddell, a Fox News contributor and former pollster for President Jimmy Carter, said he had spoken with other Democratic consultants who had received similar warnings from the White House. On October 2, 2013, Fox News host Anna Kooiman cited on the air a fake story from the National Report parody site, which claimed Obama had offered to keep the International Museum of Muslim Cultures open with cash from his own pocket. Fox News attracted controversy in April 2018 when it was revealed primetime host Sean Hannity had defended Trump's then personal attorney Michael Cohen on air without disclosing Cohen was his lawyer. On April 9, 2018, federal agents from the U.S. Attorney's office served a search warrant on Cohen's office and residence. On the air, Hannity defended Cohen and criticized the federal action, calling it "highly questionable" and "an unprecedented abuse of power". On April 16, 2018, in a court hearing, Cohen's lawyers told the judge that Cohen had ten clients in 2017–2018 but did "traditional legal tasks" for only three, including Trump. The federal judge ordered the revelation of the third client, whom Cohen's lawyers named as Hannity. Hannity was not sanctioned by Fox News for this breach of journalistic ethics, with Fox News releasing a statement that the channel was unaware of Hannity's relationship to Cohen and that it had "spoken to Sean and he continues to have our full support." Media ethics experts said that Hannity's disclosure failure was a major breach of journalistic ethics and that the network should have suspended or fired him for it. In mid-2021, Fox News agreed to pay a $1 million settlement to New York City after its Commission on Human Rights cited "a pattern of violating the NYC Human Rights Law". A Fox News spokesperson claimed that "FOX News Media has already been in full compliance across the board, but [settled] to continue enacting extensive preventive measures against all forms of discrimination and harassment." International transmission The Fox News Channel feed has international availability via multiple providers, while Fox Extra segments provide alternate programming. Fox News is carried in more than 40 countries. In Australia, FNC is broadcast on the dominant pay television provider Foxtel. FNC reached Brazil through Sky Brasil on November 1, 2002, after being introduced at ABTA 2002. Commercials on FNC are replaced with Fox Extra. It is available on Vivo TV. Fox had initially planned to launch a joint venture with Canwest's Global Television Network, tentatively named Fox News Canada, which would have featured a mixture of U.S. and Canadian news programming. As a result, the CRTC denied a 2003 application requesting permission for Fox News Channel to be carried in Canada. However, in March 2004, a Fox executive said the venture had been shelved; in November of that year, the CRTC added Fox News to its whitelist of foreign channels that may be carried by television providers. In May 2023, the CRTC announced that it would open a public consultation regarding the channel's carriage in Canada, acting upon complaints by the LGBT advocacy group Egale Canada surrounding an episode of Tucker Carlson Tonight that contained content described as "malicious misinformation" regarding trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and two-spirit communities, including "the inflammatory and false claim that trans people are 'targeting' Christians." It is available through streaming service Disney+ Hotstar. In Indonesia, it is available on Channel 397 on pay-TV provider First Media. In Israel, FNC is broadcast on Channel 105 of the satellite provider Yes, as well as being carried on Cellcom TV and Partner TV. It is also broadcast on channel 200 on cable operator HOT. In Italy, FNC is broadcast on Sky Italia. Fox News was launched on Stream TV in 2001, and moved to Sky Italia in 2003. Although service to Japan ceased in summer 2003, it can still be seen on Americable (distributor for American bases), Mediatti (Kadena Air Base) and Pan Global TV Japan. The channel's international feed is being carried by cable provider Izzi Telecom. In the Netherlands, Fox News has been carried by cable providers UPC Nederland and CASEMA, and satellite provider Canaldigitaal; all have dropped the channel in recent years. At this time, only cable provider Caiway (available in a limited number of towns in the central part of the country) is broadcasting the channel. The channel was also carried by IPTV provider KNIPPR (owned by T-Mobile). In New Zealand, FNC is broadcast on Channel 088 of pay satellite operator SKY Network Television's digital platform. It was formerly broadcast overnight on free-to-air UHF New Zealand TV channel Prime; this was discontinued in January 2010, reportedly due to an expiring broadcasting license. In Pakistan, Fox News Channel is available on PTCL Smart TV and a number of cable and IPTV operators. In the Philippines, Fox News Channel is available on Sky Cable, Cablelink and G Sat Channel 50. It was available on Cignal until January 1, 2021, due to contract expiration; however, the channel returned on June 16, 2022. In Portugal, Fox News was available on Meo. The channel is however no longer available on the operator and it is not carried by other Portuguese TV operators. Between 2003 and 2006, in Sweden and the other Scandinavian countries, FNC was broadcast 16 hours a day on TV8 (with Fox News Extra segments replacing U.S. advertising). Fox News was dropped by TV8 in September 2006. In Singapore, FNC is broadcast on pay-TV operator StarHub TV, as well on Singtel TV. In South Africa, FNC is broadcast on StarSat. The most popular pay television operator, DStv, does not offer FNC in its channel bouquet. In Spain, Fox News was available on Movistar Plus+. The channel was part of the operator since its first incarnation as Canal Satellite Digital in the early 2000s, but was later removed from the operator's satellite offer by March 2023, and ceased transmission to the remaining offers on July 9, 2024. The channel is not carried by other Spanish TV operators. FNC was carried in the United Kingdom by Sky. On August 29, 2017, Sky dropped Fox News; the broadcaster said its carriage was not "commercially viable" due to average viewership of fewer than 2,000 viewers per day. The company said the decision was unrelated to 21st Century Fox's proposed acquisition of the remainder of Sky plc (which ultimately led to a bidding war that resulted in its acquisition by Comcast instead). The potential co-ownership had prompted concerns from critics of the deal, who felt Sky News could similarly undergo a shift to an opinionated format with a right-wing viewpoint. However, such a move would violate Ofcom broadcast codes, which requires all news programming to show due impartiality. The channel's broadcasts in the country have violated this rule on several occasions. Notable personalities See also Notes References Further reading External links
========================================

[SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reddit#cite_ref-rpan_142-0] \| [TOKENS: 12221]
Contents Reddit Reddit (/ˈrɛdɪt/ ⓘ RED-it, formerly stylized reddit) is an American proprietary social news aggregation and forum social media platform. Registered users (commonly referred to as "redditors") submit content to the site such as links, text posts, images, and videos, which are then voted up or down ("upvoted" or "downvoted") by other members. Posts are organized by subject into user-created boards called "subreddits". Submissions with more upvotes appear towards the top of their subreddit and, if they receive enough upvotes, ultimately on the site's front page. Reddit administrators moderate the communities. Moderation is also conducted by subreddit-specific moderators, who are unpaid volunteers. It is operated by Reddit, Inc., based in San Francisco. As of December 2025, Reddit is one of the most-visited websites in the world. According to data provided by Similarweb, 51.75% of the website traffic comes from the United States, followed by Canada at 7.01%, the United Kingdom at 6.97%, Australia at 3.97%, Germany at 3%, and the remaining 28.37% split among other countries. Reddit was founded by University of Virginia roommates Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian in June 2005, who were joined by Aaron Swartz that November. Condé Nast Publications acquired the site in October 2006. In 2011, Reddit became an independent subsidiary of Condé Nast's parent company, Advance Publications. Reddit debuted on the stock market on the morning of March 21, 2024, with the ticker symbol RDDT. The current market cap as of July 2024 is US$10 billion. Reddit has been noted for its role in political activism, particularly in the United States, with notable left-wing and anti-theist subcultures on the website. It has received praise for many of its features, such as the ability to create several subreddits for niche communities. It has been criticized for the spread of misinformation and its voting system which can encourage online echo chambers. History The idea and initial development of Reddit originated with college roommates Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian in 2005, who attended a lecture by programmer-entrepreneur Paul Graham in Boston during their spring break from University of Virginia. After speaking with Huffman and Ohanian following the lecture, Graham invited the two to apply to his startup incubator Y Combinator. Their initial idea, My Mobile Menu, was unsuccessful, and was intended to allow users to order food by SMS text messaging. During a brainstorming session to pitch another startup, the idea was created for what Graham called the "front page of the Internet". For that idea, Huffman and Ohanian were accepted in Y Combinator's first class. Supported by the funding from Y Combinator, Huffman coded the site in Common Lisp and together with Ohanian launched Reddit in June 2005. Embarrassed by an empty-looking site, the founders created hundreds of fake users for their posts to make it look more populated. The team expanded to include Christopher Slowe in November 2005. Between November 2005 and January 2006, Reddit merged with Aaron Swartz's company Infogami, and Swartz became an equal owner of the resulting parent company, Not A Bug. Swartz then helped rewrite the software running Reddit using web.py, a web framework he developed. The passage from Aaron Swartz's blog post "Rewriting Reddit" reveals that the switch from Lisp to Python, specifically using the web.py framework developed by Swartz, was driven by a desire for simplicity, maintainability, and performance. Despite facing skepticism and critique from the Lisp community, the change was justified by the efficiency and clarity Python provided for the project. This initiative not only influenced the technical evolution of Reddit but also contributed to the broader web development community by inspiring other frameworks and remaining a significant part of Reddit's history. In 2011, Ohanian claimed that rather than Swartz being a co-founder, the correct description would be that Swartz's company was acquired by Reddit six months after the website was founded. Huffman and Ohanian sold Reddit to Condé Nast Publications, owner of Wired, on October 31, 2006, for a reported $10 million to $20 million and the team moved to San Francisco. In November 2006, Swartz posted to his blog, complaining about the new corporate environment, criticizing its level of productivity. In January 2007, Swartz was fired for undisclosed reasons. Huffman and Ohanian left Reddit in 2009. Huffman went on to co-found Hipmunk with Adam Goldstein, and later recruited Ohanian and Slowe to the new company. After Huffman and Ohanian left Reddit, Erik Martin, who joined the company as a community manager in 2008 and later became general manager in 2011, played a role in Reddit's growth. VentureBeat noted that Martin was "responsible for keeping the site going" under Condé Nast's ownership. Yishan Wong joined Reddit as CEO in 2012. Wong resigned from Reddit in 2014, citing disagreements about his proposal to move the company's offices from San Francisco to nearby Daly City, but also the "stressful and draining" nature of the position. Ohanian credited Wong with the company's newfound success as its user base grew from 35 million to 174 million. Wong oversaw the company as it raised $50 million in funding and spun off as an independent company. Also during this time, Reddit began accepting the digital currency Bitcoin for its Reddit Gold subscription service through a partnership with bitcoin payment processor Coinbase in February 2013. Ellen Pao replaced Wong as interim CEO in 2014 and resigned in 2015 amid a user revolt over the firing of a popular Reddit employee. During her tenure, Reddit initiated an anti-harassment policy, banned involuntary sexualization, and banned several forums that focused on bigoted content or harassment of individuals. After five years away from the company, Ohanian and Huffman returned to leadership roles: Ohanian became the full-time executive chairman in November 2014 following Wong's resignation, while Pao's departure on July 10, 2015, led to Huffman's return as the company's chief executive. After Huffman rejoined Reddit as CEO, he launched Reddit's iOS and Android apps, improved Reddit's mobile website, and created A/B testing infrastructure. The company launched a major redesign of its website in April 2018. Huffman said new users were turned off from Reddit because it had looked like a "dystopian Craigslist". Reddit also instituted several technological improvements, such as a new tool that allows users to hide posts, comments, and private messages from selected redditors in an attempt to curb online harassment, and new content guidelines. These new content guidelines were aimed at banning content inciting violence and quarantining offensive material. Slowe, the company's first employee, rejoined Reddit in 2017 as chief technology officer. Ohanian resigned as a member of the board on June 5, 2020 in response to the George Floyd protests and requested to be replaced "by a Black candidate". Michael Seibel, then-CEO of Y Combinator, was subsequently named to the board. On March 5, 2021, Reddit announced that it had appointed Drew Vollero, who had worked at Snapchat's parent company, Snap Inc., as its first chief financial officer (CFO) weeks after the site was thrust into the spotlight due to its role in the GameStop trading frenzy. Vollero's appointment spurred speculation of an initial public offering, a move that senior leaders have considered publicly. As of August 2021[update], Reddit was valued at more than $10 billion following a $410 million funding round. The company was looking to hire investment bankers and lawyers to assist in making an initial public offering. However, CEO Steve Huffman said the company had not decided on the timing for when to go public. In December 2021, Reddit revealed that it had confidentially filed for an initial public offering with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Reddit's initial public offering opened on March 20, 2024, at $34 per share and a $6.4 billion valuation. They went public the next day on the New York Stock Exchange at $47 per share and rose to $50.44 at market close on their first day of trading, reaching a market cap of $9.5 billion. The market cap as of July 2024 was $10 billion. Site overview Reddit is a website comprising user-generated content—including photos, videos, links, and text-based posts—and discussions of this content in what is essentially a bulletin board system. The name "Reddit" is a play-on-words with the phrase "read it", i.e., "I read it on Reddit." According to Reddit, in 2019, there were approximately 430 million monthly users, who are known as "redditors". The site's content is divided into categories or communities known on-site as "subreddits", of which there are more than 138,000 active communities. As a network of communities, Reddit's core content consists of posts from its users. Users can comment on others' posts to continue the conversation. A key feature to Reddit is that users can cast positive or negative votes, called upvotes and downvotes respectively, for each post and comment on the site. The number of upvotes or downvotes determines the posts' visibility on the site, so the most popular content is displayed to the most people. Users can also earn "karma" for their posts and comments, a status that reflects their standing within the community and their contributions to Reddit. Posts are sometimes automatically archived after six months, meaning they can no longer be commented or voted on. The most popular posts from the site's numerous subreddits are visible on the front page to those who browse the site without an account. By default for those users, the front page will display the subreddit r/popular, featuring top-ranked posts across all of Reddit, excluding not-safe-for-work communities and others that are most commonly filtered out by users (even if they are safe for work). The subreddit r/all originally did not filter topics, but as of 2021 it does not include not-safe-for-work content. Registered users who subscribe to subreddits see the top content from the subreddits to which they subscribe on their personal front pages. Additionally, some subreddits have a karma and account age requirement to discourage bots and spammers from posting. Front-page rank—for both the general front page and for individual subreddits—is determined by a combination of factors, including the age of the submission, positive ("upvoted") to negative ("downvoted") feedback ratio, and the total vote-count. Registering an account with Reddit is free and requires an email address. In addition to commenting and voting, registered users can also create their own subreddit on a topic of their choosing. In Reddit style, usernames begin with "u/". Noteworthy redditors include u/Poem_for_your_sprog, who responds to messages across Reddit in verse, u/Shitty_Watercolour who posts paintings in response to posts, and u/spez, the CEO of Reddit (Steve Huffman). Subreddits are overseen by moderators, Reddit users who earn the title by creating a subreddit or being promoted by a current moderator. Reddit users may also request to moderate a sub that has no moderators or very inactive ones in r/redditrequest. These requests are reviewed by the Reddit admins. Moderators are volunteers who manage their communities, set and enforce community-specific rules, remove posts and comments that violate these rules, and often work to keep discussions in their subreddit on topic. Admins, by contrast, are employees of Reddit. Early on, Reddit implemented shadow banning, purportedly to address spam accounts, while saying, "it's still the only tool we have to punish people who break the rules". In 2015, Reddit added an account suspension feature which they said would replace sitewide shadowbans, however, moderators are still able to shadowban users or their individual posts. Reddit releases transparency reports annually which have information like how many posts have been taken down by moderators and for what reason. It also details information about requests law enforcement agencies have made for information about users or to take down content. In 2020, Reddit removed 6% of posts made on the platform (approx. 233 million). More than 99% of removals were marked as spam; the remainder made up of a mix of other offensive content. Around 131 million posts were removed by the automated moderator (~56 %) and the rest were taken down manually. It is estimated that Reddit's moderators work 466 hours every day, which is $3.4 million in unpaid work each year. That roughly equates to 2.8% of the company's annual revenue. Subreddits (officially called communities) are user-created areas of interest where discussions on Reddit are organized. There are about 138,000 active subreddits (among a total of 1.2 million) as of July 2018[update]. Subreddit names begin with "r/"; for instance, "r/science" is a community devoted to discussing scientific publications, while "r/gaming" is a community devoted to discussing video games, and "r/worldnews" is for posting news articles from around the world. In a 2014 interview with Memeburn, Erik Martin, then the general manager of Reddit, remarked that their "approach is to give the community moderators or curators as much control as possible so that they can shape and cultivate the type of communities they want". Subreddits often use themed variants of Reddit's alien mascot, Snoo, in the visual styling of their communities. Today subreddits exist not only for interests and topics but also for organizations. The Wayanad Literature Festival has a subreddit where they host discussions based on the sessions they host and encourage people to post about literature, politics and media. Reddit Premium (formerly Reddit Gold) is a premium membership that allows users to view the site ad-free. Until 2023, subscribers could also use coins to award posts or comments they valued, generally due to humorous or high-quality content. Reddit Premium unlocks several features not accessible to regular users, such as comment highlighting, exclusive subreddits such as r/lounge, a personalized Snoo (known as a "snoovatar"), and a Reddit premium trophy that can be displayed on the user's profile. Reddit Gold was renamed to Reddit Premium in 2018. In addition to gold coins, users were able to gift silver and platinum coins to other users as rewards for quality content. On the site, redditors commemorate their "cake day" once a year, on the anniversary of the day their account was created. Cake day adds an icon of a small slice of cake next to the user's name for 24 hours. In August 2021, the company introduced a TikTok-like short-form video feature for iOS that lets users rapidly swipe through a feed of short video content. In December 2021, the company introduced a Spotify Wrapped-like feature called Reddit Recap that recaps various statistics from January 1 to November 30 about each individual user, such as how much time they spent on Reddit, which communities they joined, and the topics that they engaged with, and allows the user to view it. On July 7, 2022, Reddit announced "blockchain-backed Collectible Avatars", customizable avatars which are available on the subreddit r/CollectibleAvatars for purchase separate from Reddit Premium. The avatars were created by independent artists who post work on other subreddits, and who receive a portion of the profits. They use Reddit's Polygon blockchain-powered digital wallet the Vault. Richard Lawler of The Verge described them as "non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that are available for purchase in the Reddit Avatar Builder". In 2017, Reddit developed its own real-time chat software for the site. While some established subreddits have used third-party software to chat about their communities, the company built chat functions that it hopes will become an integral part of Reddit. Individual chat rooms were rolled out in 2017 and community chat rooms for members of a given subreddit were rolled out in 2018. Reddit Talk was announced in April 2021 as a competitor to Clubhouse. Reddit Talk lets subreddit moderators start audio meeting rooms that mimic Clubhouse in design. In 2022, Reddit Talk was updated to support recording audio rooms and work on the web version of Reddit. A desktop app is reportedly slated for a late February release. Reddit Chat replaced the Reddit private messaging system in June 2025. Reddit acquired MeaningCloud, a natural language processing company in June 2022. In February 2024, Reddit announced a partnership with Google in a deal worth about $60 million per year, to license its real-time user content to train Google's AI model. The partnership also lets Reddit get access to Google's "Vertex AI" service which would help improve search results on Reddit. It was announced that Reddit and OpenAI had reached a deal that will allow OpenAI access to the Reddit API to train its models, while Reddit will receive certain AI tools for moderators and users. In December 2024, Reddit announced Reddit Answers, an AI search tool that summarizes conversations in response to a question from the user. Reddit's search function has had many iterations; the one on the new site currently uses Lucidworks Fusion, while the search on old reddit uses Reddit's own in-house search In 2009, Reddit released their official mobile app, called iReddit. This app was sparsely updated, and was superseded by a new mobile website in 2010. For several years, most Redditors relied on third-party apps to access Reddit on mobile devices. In October 2014, Reddit acquired one of them, Alien Blue, which became the official iOS Reddit app. Reddit removed Alien Blue and released its official application, Reddit: The Official App, on Google Play and the iOS App Store in April 2016. The company released an app for Reddit's question-and-answer Ask Me Anything subreddit in 2014. The app allowed users to see active Ask Me Anythings, receive notifications, ask questions and vote. As of September 2025, all versions of the iReddit and Alien Blue apps still work on older versions of iOS; they were not affected by the API shutdown due to both of them being official Reddit apps. The 2010 mobile site, however, was shut down in 2024. The site has undergone several products and design changes since it originally launched in 2005. When it initially launched, there were no comments or subreddits. Comments were added in 2005 and interest-based groups (called 'subreddits') were introduced in 2008. Allowing users to create subreddits has led to much of the activity that redditors would recognize that helped define Reddit. These include subreddits "WTF", "funny", and "AskReddit". Reddit rolled out its multireddit feature, the site's biggest change to its front page in years, in 2013. With the multireddits, users see top stories from a collection of subreddits. In 2015, Reddit enabled embedding and as a result users could share Reddit content on other sites. In 2016, Reddit began hosting images using a new image uploading tool, a move that shifted away from the uploading service Imgur that had been the de facto service. Users still can upload images to Reddit using Imgur. Reddit's in-house video uploading service for desktop and mobile launched in 2017. Previously, users had to use third-party video uploading services, which Reddit acknowledged was time-consuming for users. Reddit released its "spoiler tags" feature in January 2017. The feature warns users of potential spoilers in posts and pixelates preview images. Reddit unveiled changes to its public front page, called r/popular, in 2017; the change creates a front page free of potentially adult-oriented content for unregistered users. In late 2017, Reddit declared it wanted to be a mobile-first site, launching several changes to its apps for iOS and Android. The new features included user-to-user chat, a theater mode for viewing visual content, and mobile tools for the site's moderators. "Mod mode" lets moderators manage content and their subreddits on mobile devices. Reddit launched its redesigned website in 2018, with its first major visual update in a decade. Development for the new site took more than a year. It was the result of an initiative by Huffman upon returning to Reddit, who said the site's outdated look deterred new users. The new site features a hamburger menu to help users navigate the site, different views, and new fonts to better inform redditors if they are clicking on a Reddit post or an external link. The nominal goal was not only for Reddit to improve its appearance, but also to make it easier to accommodate a new generation of Reddit users. Additionally Reddit's growth had strained the site's back end; Huffman and Reddit Vice President of Engineering Nick Caldwell told The Wall Street Journal's COI Journal that Reddit needed to leverage artificial intelligence and other modern digital tools. Users can opt-out of the redesign by using the old.reddit.com domain. On May 15, 2024, the dedicated login flow was removed from the old domain, although site admins said they had "no plans" to remove the old domain entirely. In November 2023, Fast Company reported that Reddit began rolling out a comprehensive rebrand, including a new logo, typeface, brand colors, and an updated version of its mascot Snoo, as part of its preparation for a potential 2024 IPO and in response to its expanding user base and global reach. Reddit's logo consists of a time-traveling alien named Snoo and the company name stylized as "reddit". The alien has an oval head, pom-pom ears, and an antenna. Its colors are black, white, and orange-red. The mascot was created in 2005 while company co-founder Alexis Ohanian was an undergraduate at the University of Virginia. Ohanian drew a doodle of the creature while he was bored during a marketing class. Originally, Ohanian sought to name the mascot S'new, a play on "What's new?", to tie the mascot into Reddit's premise as the "front page of the Internet". Eventually, the name Snoo was chosen. In 2011, Ohanian outlined the logo's evolution with a graphic that showcased several early versions, including various spellings of the website name, such as "Reditt". Snoo is genderless, so the logo is moldable. Over the years, the Reddit logo has frequently changed for holidays and other special events. Many subreddits have a customized Snoo logo to represent the subreddit. Redditors can also submit their own logos, which sometimes appear on the site's front page, or create their own customized versions of Snoo for their communities (or "subreddits"). When Reddit revamped its website in April 2018, the company imposed several restrictions on how Snoo can be designed: Snoo's head "should always appear blank or neutral", Snoo's eyes are orange-red, and Snoo cannot have fingers. Snoo's purpose is to discover and explore humanity. Discontinued features Starting in 2023 with the discontinuation of the Reddit API's free tier, Reddit has been silently discontinuing legacy features and reducing the functionalities of the old site. All of these changes have been met with significant backlash by the Reddit community. Reddit's private messaging system, which had been present on the site ever since its launch in 2005, was discontinued in 2025 in favor of Reddit Chat. Reddit discontinued its free API tier for commercial applications in April 2023. This was met with significant backlash by the community, leaving the website in a state of disarray for months. In early 2023, Reddit silently discontinued its legacy mobile site, known as i.reddit, and reddit compact and previously accessible at i.reddit.com. This was despite a Reddit admin stating that iReddit was "here to stay". The original 2017 redesign of Reddit, also known as new.reddit and old new Reddit and previously accessible at new.reddit.com, was discontinued on December 11, 2024. No changes were made to the pre-2017 legacy desktop site, still accessible at old.reddit.com. In 2023, the Reddit coin and award system was discontinued in favor of a "golden upvote". This was deeply unpopular, and Reddit added awards back under a new implementation a few months later. However, these new awards are not accessible or viewable on the legacy desktop site. On June 4, 2025, Reddit announced that they would be removing custom emoji from comments. Login: Login functionality was removed from the old site sometime in 2024. You can still log in to the old site, but you must do it through the new site. Age trophies: Account age trophies past Year 15 are not visible on the old site. Private messaging: Sending a private message (like a modmail) now requires you to use the new site. FAQ, terms, and official Wiki pages: All official information pages were migrated from the legacy site's wiki to the new site sometime in 2020. Reddit notifications: Official Reddit notifications were moved from the legacy inbox to the Notifications section, which is only accessible on the new site. The Reddit Public Access Network, commonly known as RPAN, was a live streaming service run by Reddit. Viewers interacted with streams by upvoting or downvoting, chatting, and giving paid awards. During the off-air hours, 24/7 streaming was possible to the dedicated subreddits, but with limited slots and capabilities. On August 19, 2019, Reddit announced RPAN. It was said to be in testing, but they were experimenting with making it a permanent program, as well as a way to increase revenue for the platform. Later, a five-day testing period began. During the testing period, streaming was for a select group of users, allowing 30 minutes of streaming per person and 100 slots. On July 1, 2020, RPAN Studio was released, an application that allows users to broadcast live from desktop computers. RPAN Studio has been built on top of OBS, an open-source streaming and recording program. On January 28, 2021, Reddit permanently increased streaming times to three hours. RPAN was officially discontinued on November 15, 2022. Corporate affairs Reddit is a public company based in San Francisco. In 2023, it downsized from an office in the Mid-Market neighborhood to an office in the South of Market neighborhood. Reddit doubled its headcount in 2017; as of 2018[update], it employed approximately 350 people. In 2017, the company was valued at $1.8 billion during a $200 million round of new venture funding. The company was previously owned by Condé Nast, but was spun off as an independent company. As of April 2018[update], Advance Publications, Condé Nast's parent company, retained a majority stake in Reddit. Reddit's key management personnel includes co-founder and CEO Steve Huffman, Chief Technology Officer Chris Slowe, who was the company's original lead engineer, and Chief Operating Officer Jen Wong, a former president of digital and chief operating officer at Time Inc. Reddit does not disclose its revenue figures. The company generates revenue in part through advertising and premium memberships that remove ads from the site. As part of its company culture, Reddit operates on a no-negotiation policy for employee salaries. The company offers new mothers, fathers, and adoptive parents up to 16 weeks of parental leave. Advertising Reddit launched two different ways of advertising on the site in 2009. The company launched sponsored content and a self-serve ads platform that year. Reddit launched its Reddit Gold benefits program in July 2010, which offered new features to editors and created a new revenue stream for the business that did not rely on banner ads. On September 6, 2011, Reddit became operationally independent of Condé Nast, operating as a separate subsidiary of its parent company, Advance Publications. Reddit's users tend to be more privacy-conscious than on other websites, often using tools like ad-blocking software and proxies, and they dislike "feeling manipulated by brands" but respond well to "content that begs for intelligent viewers and participants." Lauren Orsini writes in ReadWrite that "Reddit's huge community is the perfect hype machine for promoting a new movie, a product release, or a lagging political campaign" but there is a "very specific set of etiquette. Redditors don't want to advertise for you, they want to talk to you." Journalists have used the site as a basis for stories, though they are advised by the site's policies to respect that "reddit's communities belong to their members" and to seek proper attribution for people's contributions. Reddit announced that they would begin using VigLink to redirect affiliate links in June 2016. Since 2017, Reddit has partnered with companies to host sponsored AMAs and other interactive events, increased advertising offerings, and introduced efforts to work with content publishers. In 2018, Reddit hired Jen Wong as COO, responsible for the company's business strategy and growth, and introduced native mobile ads. Reddit opened a Chicago office to be closer to major companies and advertising agencies located in and around Chicago. In 2019, Reddit hired former Twitter ad director Shariq Rizvi as its vice president of ad products and engineering. Community and culture The website is known for its open nature and diverse user community that generate its content. Its demographics allows for wide-ranging subject areas, as well as the ability for smaller subreddits to serve more niche purposes. The user base of Reddit has given birth to other websites, including image sharing community and image host Imgur, which started in 2009 as a gift to Reddit's community. In its first five months, it jumped from a thousand hits per day to a million total page views. Data collected by Pew Research Center in 2013 found that Reddit users were much more likely to be from urban communities than rural ones. Women were greatly under-represented on the website. Reddit's userbase had a disproportionately high number of Hispanic users. With regards to education, high school dropouts were over-represented among Reddit users. Reddit has been noted for its role in political activism, with notable left-wing and anti-theist subcultures on the website. Statistics from Google Ad Planner suggest that 74% of Reddit users are male. In 2016, the Pew Research Center published research showing that 4% of U.S. adults use Reddit, of which 67% are men, while 78% of users get news from Reddit. Users tend to be significantly younger than average with less than 1% of users being 65 or over. Politically, 43% of Reddit users surveyed by Pew Research Center in 2016 identified as liberal, with 38% identifying as moderate and 19% as conservative. Reddit is known in part for its passionate user base, which has been described as "offbeat, quirky, and anti-establishment". Similar to the "Slashdot effect", the Reddit effect occurs when a smaller website crashes due to a high influx of traffic after being linked to on Reddit; this is also called the Reddit "hug of death". Users have used Reddit as a platform for their charitable and philanthropic efforts. Redditors raised more than $100,000 for charity in support of comedians Jon Stewart's and Stephen Colbert's Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear; more than $180,000 for Haiti earthquake relief efforts; and delivered food pantries' Amazon wish lists. In 2010, Christians, Muslims, and atheists held a friendly fundraising competition, where the groups raised more than $50,000. A similar donation drive in 2011 saw the atheism subreddit raise over $200,000 for charity. In February 2014, Reddit announced it would donate 10% of its annual ad revenue to non-profits voted upon by its users. As a result of the campaign, Reddit donated $82,765 each to each of the selected recipients. Reddit has been used for a wide variety of political engagement including the presidential campaigns of Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and Bernie Sanders. It has also been used for self-organizing sociopolitical activism such as protests, communication with politicians and active communities. Reddit has become a popular place for worldwide political discussions. The March for Science originated from a discussion on Reddit over the deletion of all references to climate change from the White House website, about which a user commented that "There needs to be a Scientists' March on Washington". On April 22, 2017, more than 1 million scientists and supporters participated in more than 600 events in 66 countries across the globe. Reddit users have been engaged in the defense of Internet privacy, net neutrality and Internet anonymity. Reddit created an Internet blackout day and was joined by Wikipedia and other sites in 2012 in protest of the Stop Online Piracy and PROTECT IP acts. On January 18, Reddit participated in a 12-hour sitewide blackout to coincide with a congressional committee hearing on the measures. During that time, Reddit displayed a message on the legislation's effects on Reddit, in addition to resources on the proposed laws. In May 2012, Reddit joined the Internet Defense League, a group formed to organize future protests. The site and its users protested the Federal Communications Commission as it prepared to scrap net neutrality rules. In 2017, users upvoted "Battle for the Net" posts enough times that they filled up the entire front page. On another day, the front page was overtaken by posts showcasing campaign donations received by members of Congress from the telecommunications industry. Reddit CEO Steve Huffman has also advocated for net neutrality rules. In 2017, Huffman told The New York Times that without net neutrality protections, "you give internet service providers the ability to choose winners and losers". On Reddit, Huffman urged redditors to express support for net neutrality and contact their elected representatives in Washington, D.C. Huffman said that the repeal of net neutrality rules stifles competition. He said he and Reddit would continue to advocate for net neutrality. As a response to Glenn Beck's August 28, 2010, Restoring Honor rally, in September 2010 Reddit users started a movement to persuade satirist Stephen Colbert to have a counter-rally in Washington, D.C. The movement, which came to be called "Restoring Truthiness", was started by user mrsammercer, in a post where he described waking up from a dream in which Stephen Colbert was holding a satirical rally in D.C. Over $100,000 was raised for charity to gain the attention of Colbert. The campaign was mentioned on-air several times, and when the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear was held in Washington, D.C., on October 30, 2010, thousands of redditors made the journey. During a post-rally press conference, Reddit co-founder Ohanian asked, "What role did the Internet campaign play in convincing you to hold this rally?" Jon Stewart responded by saying that, though it was a very nice gesture, he and Colbert had already thought of the idea and the deposit for using the National Mall was already paid during the summer, so it acted mostly as a "validation of what we were thinking about attempting". In a message to the Reddit community, Colbert later added, "I have no doubt that your efforts to organize and the joy you clearly brought to your part of the story contributed greatly to the turnout and success." Reddit has been blocked in multiple countries due to Internet censorship performed by the governments of some countries. As of October 2023, Reddit is blocked in Indonesia, China, North Korea, Turkey, and partially blocked in Bangladesh. Reddit was blocked in Russia in 2015 and later unblocked. Since May 2014, Reddit has been blocked in Indonesia by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology for hosting content containing nudity. In August 2015, the Federal Drug Control Service of Russia determined that Reddit was promoting conversations about psychedelic drugs. The Roskomnadzor banned the website, citing advice on how to grow magic mushrooms as the reason. The Russian government had asked Reddit before to remove drug-related posts to no response. The site was later unblocked. ISPs in India were found to be blocking traffic over Reddit for intermittent periods in some regions in 2019. In July 2025, Reddit began requiring age verification in order to access certain features, to comply with the UK's Online Safety Act 2023, using a service called Persona. Content covered includes sexually explicit material, encouragement of suicide and eating disorders, and expressions of hatred based on race, religion, or sexual orientation. Over the years, Reddit has done multiple pranks and events for April Fools' Day. Since 2013, they have often taken the form of massive social experiments. Noteworthy events include The Button in 2015, which included a global "button" that could only be clicked once per user. It attracted more than a million clicks. 2017's experiment r/place involved making a collaborative pixel art. Millions of users worked together in communities to place pixels one at a time to create a larger canvas. This experiment was very successful and repeated in 2022's April Fools experiment and in 2023. AMAs, or "Ask Me Anything" interviews, during an AMA on r/IAmA and other subreddits, users can ask questions to interviewees. Notable participants include former-United States President Barack Obama (while campaigning for the 2012 election), Bill Gates (multiple times), and Donald Trump (also while campaigning). AMAs have featured CEO Steve Huffman, as well as figures from entertainment industries around the world (including Priyanka Chopra and George Clooney), literature (Margaret Atwood), space (Buzz Aldrin), privacy (Edward Snowden), fictional characters (including Borat and Cookie Monster) and others, such as experts who answered questions about the transgender community. The Atlantic wrote that an AMA "imports the aspirational norms of honesty and authenticity from pseudonymous Internet forums into a public venue". RedditGifts was a program that offers gift exchanges throughout the year. The fan-made RedditGifts site was created in 2009 for a Secret Santa exchange among Reddit users, which has since become the world's largest and set a Guinness World record. In 2009, 4,500 redditors participated. For the 2010 holiday season, 92 countries were involved in the secret Santa program. There were 17,543 participants, and $662,907.60 was collectively spent on gift purchases and shipping costs. In 2014, about 200,000 users from 188 countries participated. Several celebrities have participated in the program, including Bill Gates, Alyssa Milano, and Snoop Dogg. Eventually, the secret Santa program expanded to various other occasions through RedditGifts, which Reddit acquired in 2011. As with most public online forums, Reddit is vulnerable to the use of disruptive or manipulative practices by its members, from sources such as troll farms, click farms and astroturfing. Another example is brigading, notable in the case of Reddit as it is often cited as the origin of the practice and use of the word in this context. Though all of these examples are in some form, against the rules of Reddit's content policy, at least in the case of brigading, they are not always malicious in intent. A notable example is the case of "Mr. Splashy Pants", when organized brigading of another website, by redditors, appears to have been tacitly encouraged by the Reddit administration. In the aftermath, the target of this vote brigading appeared to take it in good humor. Reddit communities occasionally coordinate Reddit-external projects such as skewing polls on other websites, like the 2007 incident when Greenpeace allowed web users to decide the name of a humpback whale it was tracking. Reddit users voted en masse to name the whale "Mister Splashy Pants", and Reddit administrators encouraged the prank by changing the site logo to a whale during the voting. In December of that year, Mister Splashy Pants was announced as the winner of the competition. Criticism and controversies In general, the website grants subreddit moderators discretion in deciding what content is and is not allowed on their subreddits, so long as site-wide rules are not being violated. This relative freedom has allowed for a wide diversity of subreddits to exist, and some of them have attracted controversy. Many of the default subreddits are highly moderated, with the "science" subreddit banning climate change denialism, and the "news" subreddit banning opinion pieces and columns. Reddit has changed its site-wide editorial policies several times, sometimes in reaction to controversies. Reddit has historically been a platform for objectionable but legal content, and in 2011, news media covered the way that jailbait was being shared on the site before the site changed their policies to explicitly ban "suggestive or sexual content featuring minors". Reddit also received controversy over hosting misogynistic content, including the doxing of erotic models and revenge porn. Following some controversial incidents of Internet vigilantism, Reddit introduced a strict rule against the online publication of non-public personally-identifying information (a common internet harassment tool colloquially known as doxxing) via the site. Those who break the rule are subject to a site-wide ban, which can result in the deletion of their user-generated content. Due to Reddit's decentralized moderation, user anonymity, and lack of fact-checking systems, the platform is highly prone to spreading misinformation and disinformation. It has been suggested that those who use Reddit should exercise caution in taking user-created unsourced content as fact. Concerns have been raised in particular about dangerous medical misinformation on the platform. A 2022 study of 300 comments and posts discussing urinary tract infections found that fewer than 1% cited a source for their content, and several contained harmful medical misinformation that may dissuade readers from seeking medical care or lead to dangerous self-medication, such as proposing fasting as a cure for UTIs. Reddit communities exhibit the echo chamber effect, in which repeated unsourced statements come to be accepted among the community as fact, leading to distorted worldviews among users. It has been suggested that since 2019, Russian state-sponsored troll accounts and bots have engaged in a broad campaign to take over subreddits, such as r/antiwar. After the Boston Marathon bombing in April 2013, Reddit faced criticism after users wrongly identified a number of people as suspects in the subreddit r/FindBostonBombers. Notable among misidentified bombing suspects was Sunil Tripathi, a student reported missing before the bombings took place. A body reported to be Sunil's was found in Providence River in Rhode Island on April 25, according to Rhode Island Health Department. The cause of death was not immediately known, but authorities said they did not suspect foul play. The family later confirmed Tripathi's death was a result of suicide. Reddit general manager Erik Martin later issued an apology for this behavior, criticizing the "online witch hunts and dangerous speculation" that took place on the website. The incident was later referenced in the season 5 episode of the CBS TV series The Good Wife titled "Whack-a-Mole", as well as The Newsroom. In August, private sexual photos from the celebrity photo hack were widely disseminated across the site. A dedicated subreddit, "TheFappening", was created for this purpose, and contained links to most if not all of the criminally obtained explicit images. Some images of McKayla Maroney and Liz Lee were identified by redditors and outside commentators as child pornography because the photos were taken when the women were underage. The subreddit was banned on September 6. The scandal led to wider criticisms concerning the website's administration from The Verge and The Daily Dot. After Ellen Pao became CEO in 2014, she was initially a target of criticism by users who objected to the deletion of content critical of herself and her husband. Later on June 10, 2015, Reddit shut down the 150,000-subscriber "fatpeoplehate" subreddit and four others citing issues related to harassment. This move was seen as very controversial; some commenters said that the bans went too far, while others said that the bans did not go far enough. One of the latter complaints concerned a subreddit that was "expressing support" for the perpetrator of the Charleston church shooting. Responding to the accusations of "skewed enforcement", Reddit reaffirmed their commitment to free expression and stated, "There are some subreddits with very little viewership that get highlighted repeatedly for their content, but those are a tiny fraction of the content on the site." On July 2, Reddit began experiencing a series of blackouts as moderators set popular subreddit communities to private, in an event dubbed "AMAgeddon", a portmanteau of AMA ("ask me anything") and Armageddon. This was done in protest of the recent firing of Victoria Taylor, an administrator who helped organize citizen-led interviews with famous people on the popular AMA subreddit. Organizers of the blackout also expressed resentment about the recent severance of the communication between Reddit and the moderators of subreddits. The blackout intensified on July 3 when former community manager David Croach gave an AMA about being fired. Before deleting his posts, he stated that Ellen Pao dismissed him with one year of health coverage when he had cancer and did not recover quickly enough. Following this, a Change.org petition to remove Pao as CEO of Reddit Inc. reached over 200,000 signatures. Pao posted a response on July 3 as well as an extended version of it on July 6 in which she apologized for bad communication and not delivering on promises. She also apologized on behalf of the other administrators and noted that problems already existed over the past several years. On July 10, Pao resigned as CEO and was replaced by former CEO and co-founder Steve Huffman. In August, Steve Huffman introduced a policy which led to the banning of several offensive and sexual communities. Included in the ban was lolicon, to which Huffman referred as "animated CP [child porn]". Some subreddits had also been "quarantined" due to having "highly-offensive or upsetting content" such as r/European, r/swedenyes, r/drawpeople, r/kiketown, r/blackfathers, r/greatapes, and r/whitesarecriminals. In April 2023, Reddit announced its intentions to charge large fees for its application programming interface (API), a feature of the site that has existed for free since 2008, causing an ongoing dispute. The move forced multiple third-party applications to shut down and threatened accessibility applications and moderation tools. On May 31, Apollo developer Christian Selig stated that Reddit's pricing would force him to cease development on the app. The resulting outcry from the Reddit community ultimately led to a planned protest from June 12 to 14 in which moderators for the site would make their communities private or restricted posting. Following the release of an internal memo from Reddit CEO Steve Huffman and defiance from Reddit, some moderators have continued their protest. Alternate forms of protest have emerged in the days following the initial blackout. Upon reopening, users of r/pics, r/gifs, and r/aww voted to exclusively post about comedian John Oliver. Multiple subreddits labeled themselves as not safe for work (NSFW), affecting advertisements and resulting in administrators removing the entire moderation team of some subreddits. The protest has been compared to a strike. /r/place had its third launch on July 20, 2023; however, the launch was heavily protested by users and developers due to the event following the 2023 Reddit API controversy; Reddit CEO Steve Huffman's decision to make it prohibitively expensive for third-party app developers drew widespread condemnation. In February 2017, Reddit banned the alt-right subreddit r/altright for violating its terms of service, more specifically for attempting to share private information about the man who attacked alt-right figure Richard B. Spencer. The forum's users and moderators accused Reddit administrators of having political motivations for the ban. After the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol, Reddit banned the subreddit r/DonaldTrump in response to repeated policy violations and alluding to the potential influence the community had on those who participated in or supported the storming. The move followed similar actions from social media platforms, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok and more. The ban was criticized by those who believed it furthered an agenda and censorship of conservative ideologies. The subreddit had over 52,000 members just before it was banned. In May 2016, CEO Steve Huffman said in an interview at the TNW Conference that, unlike Facebook, which "only knows what [its users are] willing to declare publicly", Reddit knows its users' "dark secrets" at the same time that the website's "values" page was updated regarding its "privacy" section. The video reached the top of the website's main feed. Shortly thereafter, announcements concerning new advertisement content drew criticism on the website. In September, a user named "mormondocuments" released thousands of administrative documents belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an action driven by the ex-Mormon and atheist communities on Reddit. Previously, on April 22, the same user had announced his plans to do so. Church officials commented that the documents did not contain anything confidential. On November 23, Huffman admitted to having replaced his username with the names of r/The_Donald moderators in many insulting comments. He did so by changing insulting comments made towards him and made it appear as if the insult were directed at the moderators of r/The_Donald. On November 24, The Washington Post reported Reddit had banned the "Pizzagate" conspiracy board from their site, stating it violated their policy of posting personal information of others, triggering a wave of criticism from users on r/The_Donald, who felt the ban amounted to censorship. After the forum was banned from Reddit, the words "we don't want witchhunts on our site" now appears on the former page of the Pizzagate subreddit. On November 30, Huffman announced changes to the algorithm of Reddit's r/all page to block "stickied" posts from a number of subreddits, such as r/The_Donald. In the announcement, he also apologized for personally editing posts by users from r/The_Donald, and declared intentions to take actions against "hundreds of the most toxic users" of Reddit and "communities whose users continually cross the line". In March 2018, it was revealed that Huffman had hidden Russian troll activity from users. In February 2019, Chinese company Tencent invested $150 million into Reddit. This resulted in a large backlash from Reddit users, who were worried about potential censorship. Many posts featuring subjects censored in China, such as Tiananmen Square, Tank Man, and Winnie the Pooh, received popularity on Reddit. In late August 2021, more than 70 subreddits went private to protest against COVID-19 misinformation on Reddit, as well as Reddit's refusal to delete subreddits undermining the severity of the pandemic. A 2021 letter from the United States Senate to Reddit CEO Steve Huffman expressed concern about the spread of COVID-19 misinformation on the platform. In January 2025, over 100 Reddit communities banned users from posting links from the X social media site after Elon Musk, its CEO, made an arm gesture at a speech which critics claimed was a Nazi salute. The Verge reported that Musk had "privately pressur[ed]" the CEO of Reddit Steve Huffman to moderate content critical of him and the Trump administration, and that after their exchange, Reddit took action and temporarily banned r/WhitePeopleTwitter due to "policy violations". On March 5, 2025, Reddit announced that they will be issuing warnings to users who upvote "violent content", and "may consider" taking other actions against the users. The Verge reported two days later that Reddit's automatic moderation tool has been flagging the word "Luigi" as "potentially violent", including in comments or context unrelated to Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO. The moderator of r/popculture, a subreddit with over 125,000 members, stated that Reddit's AutoModerator system flagged a comment about Nintendo video game Luigi's Mansion because it included the word "Luigi", and instructed them to "check for violence"; other comments that mentioned "Luigi", even in non-violent context, were also flagged. On July 12, 2018, the creator and head moderator of the GamerGate subreddit, r/KotakuInAction, removed all of the moderators and set the forum to private, alleging it to have become "infested with racism and sexism". A Reddit employee restored the forum and its moderators an hour later. During the George Floyd protests in early June 2020, over 800 moderators signed an open letter demanding a policy banning hate speech, a shutdown of racist and sexist subreddits, and more employee support for moderation. Bloomberg News pointed out the company's slow reaction to r/watchpeopledie, a subreddit dedicated to videos of people dying in accidents and other situations, and the harassment that accompanied new unmoderated features like icons for purchase and public chats. On June 29, 2020, Reddit updated its content policy and introduced rules aimed at curbing the presence of communities they believed to be "promoting hate", and banned approximately 2,000 subreddits that were found to be in violation of the new guidelines on the same day. Larger subreddits affected by the bans included r/The_Donald, r/GenderCritical (the platform's largest and most active anti-transgender radical feminist subreddit), and r/ChapoTrapHouse (a far-left subreddit originally created by fans of the podcast Chapo Trap House). Some media outlets and political commentators also condemned the banning of the r/The_Donald and r/ChapoTrapHouse subreddits as a violation of the right to free political expression. A 2025 TIMES article listed Reddit "The Most Xenophobic Social Media Site" after the Anti-Defamation League denounced Reddit for allowing public communities to engage in racism, antisemitism, and routine hate speech without consequence. In February 2013, Betabeat published a post that recognized the influx of multinational corporations like Costco, Taco Bell, Subaru, and McDonald's posting branded content on Reddit that was made to appear as if it was original content from legitimate Reddit users. PAN Communications wrote that marketers want to "infiltrate the reddit community on behalf of their brand," but emphasized that "self-promotion is frowned upon" and Reddit's former director of communications noted that the site is "100 percent organic." She recommended that advertisers design promotions that "spark conversations and feedback." She recommended that businesses use AMAs to get attention for public figures but cautioned "It is important to approach AMAs carefully and be aware that this may not be a fit for every project or client." Nissan ran a successful branded content promotion offering users free gifts to publicize a new car, though the company was later ridiculed for suspected astroturfing when the CEO only answered puff piece questions on the site. Taylor described these situations as "high risk" noting: "We try hard to educate people that they have to treat questions that may seem irreverent or out of left field the same as they would questions about the specific project they are promoting." In March 2021, Reddit users discovered that Aimee Challenor, an English politician who had been suspended from two UK political parties, was hired as an administrator for the site. Her first suspension from the Green Party came for retaining her father as her campaign manager after his arrest on child sexual abuse charges. She was later suspended from the Liberal Democrats after tweets describing pedophilic fantasies were discovered on her partner's Twitter account. Reddit banned a moderator for posting a news article which mentioned Challenor, and some Reddit users alleged that Reddit were removing all mention of Challenor. Many subreddits, including r/Music, which had 27 million subscribers, and 46 other subreddits with over 1 million subscribers, went private in protest. On March 24, Reddit's CEO Steve Huffman said that Challenor had been inadequately vetted before being hired and that Reddit would review its relevant internal processes. Huffman attributed user suspensions to over-indexing on anti-harassment measures. Challenor was also removed from her role as a Reddit admin. The GameStop short squeeze was primarily organized on the subreddit r/wallstreetbets in January 2021. In October 2023, Reddit Moons (a site-specific cryptocurrency launched in May 2020) had seen a surge of value in 2023, at one point in mid-2023 rising past 50 cents per moon, but it crashed by more than 90% after it was announced on October 17 that the token would be "wound down" on November 8, allegedly due to scaling and regulatory issues; Reddit-centric coins DONUT and BRICK also crashed upon the news. In June 2023, The BlackCat hacker gang claimed responsibility for a February 2023 breach of Reddit's systems. On its data leak site, it claimed that it stole 80 GB of compressed data and demanded a $4.5 million ransom from Reddit. This attack did not involve data encryption like typical ransomware campaigns. In September 2024, the Federal Trade Commission released a report summarizing nine company responses (including from Reddit) to orders made by the agency pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914 to provide information about user and non-user data collection (including of children and teenagers) and data use by the companies that found that the companies' user and non-user data practices put individuals vulnerable to identity theft, stalking, unlawful discrimination, emotional distress and mental health issues, social stigma, and reputational harm. In 2025, researchers from the University of Zurich conducted a experiment on the debate subreddit r/changemyview. The researchers deployed AI-run Reddit accounts to pose as humans and actively push desired viewpoints in order to study how AI could influence opinions among human participants. The experiment was run without the consent or knowledge of the subreddit moderators for four months until one of the researchers informed them. Critics of the experiment argued it was unethical as it involved impersonation and involuntarily used Redditors as experiment participants. On December 2025, Reddit filed a lawsuit in an attempt to overturn Australia's social media ban for children, as Australia was one of Reddit's biggest markets, and the ban would prevent people under 16 from accessing the site. See also Notes References Further reading External links
========================================

[SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States#cite_ref-692] \| [TOKENS: 17273]
Contents United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 contiguous states border Canada to the north and Mexico to the south, with the semi-exclave of Alaska in the northwest and the archipelago of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. The United States also asserts sovereignty over five major island territories and various uninhabited islands in Oceania and the Caribbean.[j] It is a megadiverse country, with the world's third-largest land area[c] and third-largest population, exceeding 341 million.[k] Paleo-Indians first migrated from North Asia to North America at least 15,000 years ago, and formed various civilizations. Spanish colonization established Spanish Florida in 1513, the first European colony in what is now the continental United States. British colonization followed with the 1607 settlement of Virginia, the first of the Thirteen Colonies. Enslavement of Africans was practiced in all colonies by 1770 and supplied most of the labor for the Southern Colonies' plantation economy. Clashes with the British Crown began as a civil protest over the illegality of taxation without representation in Parliament and the denial of other English rights. They evolved into the American Revolution, which led to the Declaration of Independence and a society based on universal rights. Victory in the 1775–1783 Revolutionary War brought international recognition of U.S. sovereignty and fueled westward expansion, further dispossessing native inhabitants. As more states were admitted, a North–South division over slavery led the Confederate States of America to declare secession and fight the Union in the 1861–1865 American Civil War. With the United States' victory and reunification, slavery was abolished nationally. By the late 19th century, the U.S. economy outpaced the French, German and British economies combined. As of 1900, the country had established itself as a great power, a status solidified after its involvement in World War I. Following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the U.S. entered World War II. Its aftermath left the U.S. and the Soviet Union as rival superpowers, competing for ideological dominance and international influence during the Cold War. The Soviet Union's collapse in 1991 ended the Cold War, leaving the U.S. as the world's sole superpower. The U.S. federal government is a representative democracy with a president and a constitution that grants separation of powers under three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The United States Congress is a bicameral national legislature composed of the House of Representatives (a lower house based on population) and the Senate (an upper house based on equal representation for each state). Federalism grants substantial autonomy to the 50 states. In addition, 574 Native American tribes have sovereignty rights, and there are 326 Native American reservations. Since the 1850s, the Democratic and Republican parties have dominated American politics. American ideals and values are based on a democratic tradition inspired by the American Enlightenment movement. A developed country, the U.S. ranks high in economic competitiveness, innovation, and higher education. Accounting for over a quarter of nominal global GDP, its economy has been the world's largest since about 1890. It is the wealthiest country, with the highest disposable household income per capita among OECD members, though its wealth inequality is highly pronounced. Shaped by centuries of immigration, the culture of the U.S. is diverse and globally influential. Making up more than a third of global military spending, the country has one of the strongest armed forces and is a designated nuclear state. A member of numerous international organizations, the U.S. plays a major role in global political, cultural, economic, and military affairs. Etymology Documented use of the phrase "United States of America" dates back to January 2, 1776. On that day, Stephen Moylan, a Continental Army aide to General George Washington, wrote a letter to Joseph Reed, Washington's aide-de-camp, seeking to go "with full and ample powers from the United States of America to Spain" to seek assistance in the Revolutionary War effort. The first known public usage is an anonymous essay published in the Williamsburg newspaper The Virginia Gazette on April 6, 1776. Sometime on or after June 11, 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote "United States of America" in a rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, which was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The term "United States" and its initialism "U.S.", used as nouns or as adjectives in English, are common short names for the country. The initialism "USA", a noun, is also common. "United States" and "U.S." are the established terms throughout the U.S. federal government, with prescribed rules.[l] "The States" is an established colloquial shortening of the name, used particularly from abroad; "stateside" is the corresponding adjective or adverb. "America" is the feminine form of the first word of Americus Vesputius, the Latinized name of Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci (1454–1512);[m] it was first used as a place name by the German cartographers Martin Waldseemüller and Matthias Ringmann in 1507.[n] Vespucci first proposed that the West Indies discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492 were part of a previously unknown landmass and not among the Indies at the eastern limit of Asia. In English, the term "America" usually does not refer to topics unrelated to the United States, despite the usage of "the Americas" to describe the totality of the continents of North and South America. History The first inhabitants of North America migrated from Siberia approximately 15,000 years ago, either across the Bering land bridge or along the now-submerged Ice Age coastline. Small isolated groups of hunter-gatherers are said to have migrated alongside herds of large herbivores far into Alaska, with ice-free corridors developing along the Pacific coast and valleys of North America in c. 16,500 – c. 13,500 BCE (c. 18,500 – c. 15,500 BP). The Clovis culture, which appeared around 11,000 BCE, is believed to be the first widespread culture in the Americas. Over time, Indigenous North American cultures grew increasingly sophisticated, and some, such as the Mississippian culture, developed agriculture, architecture, and complex societies. In the post-archaic period, the Mississippian cultures were located in the midwestern, eastern, and southern regions, and the Algonquian in the Great Lakes region and along the Eastern Seaboard, while the Hohokam culture and Ancestral Puebloans inhabited the Southwest. Native population estimates of what is now the United States before the arrival of European colonizers range from around 500,000 to nearly 10 million. Christopher Columbus began exploring the Caribbean for Spain in 1492, leading to Spanish-speaking settlements and missions from what are now Puerto Rico and Florida to New Mexico and California. The first Spanish colony in the present-day continental United States was Spanish Florida, chartered in 1513. After several settlements failed there due to starvation and disease, Spain's first permanent town, Saint Augustine, was founded in 1565. France established its own settlements in French Florida in 1562, but they were either abandoned (Charlesfort, 1578) or destroyed by Spanish raids (Fort Caroline, 1565). Permanent French settlements were founded much later along the Great Lakes (Fort Detroit, 1701), the Mississippi River (Saint Louis, 1764) and especially the Gulf of Mexico (New Orleans, 1718). Early European colonies also included the thriving Dutch colony of New Nederland (settled 1626, present-day New York) and the small Swedish colony of New Sweden (settled 1638 in what became Delaware). British colonization of the East Coast began with the Virginia Colony (1607) and the Plymouth Colony (Massachusetts, 1620). The Mayflower Compact in Massachusetts and the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut established precedents for local representative self-governance and constitutionalism that would develop throughout the American colonies. While European settlers in what is now the United States experienced conflicts with Native Americans, they also engaged in trade, exchanging European tools for food and animal pelts.[o] Relations ranged from close cooperation to warfare and massacres. The colonial authorities often pursued policies that forced Native Americans to adopt European lifestyles, including conversion to Christianity. Along the eastern seaboard, settlers trafficked Africans through the Atlantic slave trade, largely to provide manual labor on plantations. The original Thirteen Colonies[p] that would later found the United States were administered as possessions of the British Empire by Crown-appointed governors, though local governments held elections open to most white male property owners. The colonial population grew rapidly from Maine to Georgia, eclipsing Native American populations; by the 1770s, the natural increase of the population was such that only a small minority of Americans had been born overseas. The colonies' distance from Britain facilitated the entrenchment of self-governance, and the First Great Awakening, a series of Christian revivals, fueled colonial interest in guaranteed religious liberty. Following its victory in the French and Indian War, Britain began to assert greater control over local affairs in the Thirteen Colonies, resulting in growing political resistance. One of the primary grievances of the colonists was the denial of their rights as Englishmen, particularly the right to representation in the British government that taxed them. To demonstrate their dissatisfaction and resolve, the First Continental Congress met in 1774 and passed the Continental Association, a colonial boycott of British goods enforced by local "committees of safety" that proved effective. The British attempt to then disarm the colonists resulted in the 1775 Battles of Lexington and Concord, igniting the American Revolutionary War. At the Second Continental Congress, the colonies appointed George Washington commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, and created a committee that named Thomas Jefferson to draft the Declaration of Independence. Two days after the Second Continental Congress passed the Lee Resolution to create an independent, sovereign nation, the Declaration was adopted on July 4, 1776. The political values of the American Revolution evolved from an armed rebellion demanding reform within an empire to a revolution that created a new social and governing system founded on the defense of liberty and the protection of inalienable natural rights; sovereignty of the people; republicanism over monarchy, aristocracy, and other hereditary political power; civic virtue; and an intolerance of political corruption. The Founding Fathers of the United States, who included Washington, Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison, Thomas Paine, and many others, were inspired by Classical, Renaissance, and Enlightenment philosophies and ideas. Though in practical effect since its drafting in 1777, the Articles of Confederation was ratified in 1781 and formally established a decentralized government that operated until 1789. After the British surrender at the siege of Yorktown in 1781, American sovereignty was internationally recognized by the Treaty of Paris (1783), through which the U.S. gained territory stretching west to the Mississippi River, north to present-day Canada, and south to Spanish Florida. The Northwest Ordinance (1787) established the precedent by which the country's territory would expand with the admission of new states, rather than the expansion of existing states. The U.S. Constitution was drafted at the 1787 Constitutional Convention to overcome the limitations of the Articles. It went into effect in 1789, creating a federal republic governed by three separate branches that together formed a system of checks and balances. George Washington was elected the country's first president under the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights was adopted in 1791 to allay skeptics' concerns about the power of the more centralized government. His resignation as commander-in-chief after the Revolutionary War and his later refusal to run for a third term as the country's first president established a precedent for the supremacy of civil authority in the United States and the peaceful transfer of power. In the late 18th century, American settlers began to expand westward in larger numbers, many with a sense of manifest destiny. The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 from France nearly doubled the territory of the United States. Lingering issues with Britain remained, leading to the War of 1812, which was fought to a draw. Spain ceded Florida and its Gulf Coast territory in 1819. The Missouri Compromise of 1820, which admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, attempted to balance the desire of northern states to prevent the expansion of slavery into new territories with that of southern states to extend it there. Primarily, the compromise prohibited slavery in all other lands of the Louisiana Purchase north of the 36°30′ parallel. As Americans expanded further into territory inhabited by Native Americans, the federal government implemented policies of Indian removal or assimilation. The most significant such legislation was the Indian Removal Act of 1830, a key policy of President Andrew Jackson. It resulted in the Trail of Tears (1830–1850), in which an estimated 60,000 Native Americans living east of the Mississippi River were forcibly removed and displaced to lands far to the west, causing 13,200 to 16,700 deaths along the forced march. Settler expansion as well as this influx of Indigenous peoples from the East resulted in the American Indian Wars west of the Mississippi. During the colonial period, slavery became legal in all the Thirteen colonies, but by 1770 it provided the main labor force in the large-scale, agriculture-dependent economies of the Southern Colonies from Maryland to Georgia. The practice began to be significantly questioned during the American Revolution, and spurred by an active abolitionist movement that had reemerged in the 1830s, states in the North enacted laws to prohibit slavery within their boundaries. At the same time, support for slavery had strengthened in Southern states, with widespread use of inventions such as the cotton gin (1793) having made slavery immensely profitable for Southern elites. The United States annexed the Republic of Texas in 1845, and the 1846 Oregon Treaty led to U.S. control of the present-day American Northwest. Dispute with Mexico over Texas led to the Mexican–American War (1846–1848). After the victory of the U.S., Mexico recognized U.S. sovereignty over Texas, New Mexico, and California in the 1848 Mexican Cession; the cession's lands also included the future states of Nevada, Colorado and Utah. The California gold rush of 1848–1849 spurred a huge migration of white settlers to the Pacific coast, leading to even more confrontations with Native populations. One of the most violent, the California genocide of thousands of Native inhabitants, lasted into the mid-1870s. Additional western territories and states were created. Throughout the 1850s, the sectional conflict regarding slavery was further inflamed by national legislation in the U.S. Congress and decisions of the Supreme Court. In Congress, the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 mandated the forcible return to their owners in the South of slaves taking refuge in non-slave states, while the Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854 effectively gutted the anti-slavery requirements of the Missouri Compromise. In its Dred Scott decision of 1857, the Supreme Court ruled against a slave brought into non-slave territory, simultaneously declaring the entire Missouri Compromise to be unconstitutional. These and other events exacerbated tensions between North and South that would culminate in the American Civil War (1861–1865). Beginning with South Carolina, 11 slave-state governments voted to secede from the United States in 1861, joining to create the Confederate States of America. All other state governments remained loyal to the Union.[q] War broke out in April 1861 after the Confederacy bombarded Fort Sumter. Following the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, many freed slaves joined the Union army. The war began to turn in the Union's favor following the 1863 Siege of Vicksburg and Battle of Gettysburg, and the Confederates surrendered in 1865 after the Union's victory in the Battle of Appomattox Court House. Efforts toward reconstruction in the secessionist South had begun as early as 1862, but it was only after President Lincoln's assassination that the three Reconstruction Amendments to the Constitution were ratified to protect civil rights. The amendments codified nationally the abolition of slavery and involuntary servitude except as punishment for crimes, promised equal protection under the law for all persons, and prohibited discrimination on the basis of race or previous enslavement. As a result, African Americans took an active political role in ex-Confederate states in the decade following the Civil War. The former Confederate states were readmitted to the Union, beginning with Tennessee in 1866 and ending with Georgia in 1870. National infrastructure, including transcontinental telegraph and railroads, spurred growth in the American frontier. This was accelerated by the Homestead Acts, through which nearly 10 percent of the total land area of the United States was given away free to some 1.6 million homesteaders. From 1865 through 1917, an unprecedented stream of immigrants arrived in the United States, including 24.4 million from Europe. Most came through the Port of New York, as New York City and other large cities on the East Coast became home to large Jewish, Irish, and Italian populations. Many Northern Europeans as well as significant numbers of Germans and other Central Europeans moved to the Midwest. At the same time, about one million French Canadians migrated from Quebec to New England. During the Great Migration, millions of African Americans left the rural South for urban areas in the North. Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867. The Compromise of 1877 is generally considered the end of the Reconstruction era, as it resolved the electoral crisis following the 1876 presidential election and led President Rutherford B. Hayes to reduce the role of federal troops in the South. Immediately, the Redeemers began evicting the Carpetbaggers and quickly regained local control of Southern politics in the name of white supremacy. African Americans endured a period of heightened, overt racism following Reconstruction, a time often considered the nadir of American race relations. A series of Supreme Court decisions, including Plessy v. Ferguson, emptied the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments of their force, allowing Jim Crow laws in the South to remain unchecked, sundown towns in the Midwest, and segregation in communities across the country, which would be reinforced in part by the policy of redlining later adopted by the federal Home Owners' Loan Corporation. An explosion of technological advancement, accompanied by the exploitation of cheap immigrant labor, led to rapid economic expansion during the Gilded Age of the late 19th century. It continued into the early 20th, when the United States already outpaced the economies of Britain, France, and Germany combined. This fostered the amassing of power by a few prominent industrialists, largely by their formation of trusts and monopolies to prevent competition. Tycoons led the nation's expansion in the railroad, petroleum, and steel industries. The United States emerged as a pioneer of the automotive industry. These changes resulted in significant increases in economic inequality, slum conditions, and social unrest, creating the environment for labor unions and socialist movements to begin to flourish. This period eventually ended with the advent of the Progressive Era, which was characterized by significant economic and social reforms. Pro-American elements in Hawaii overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy; the islands were annexed in 1898. That same year, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam were ceded to the U.S. by Spain after the latter's defeat in the Spanish–American War. (The Philippines was granted full independence from the U.S. on July 4, 1946, following World War II. Puerto Rico and Guam have remained U.S. territories.) American Samoa was acquired by the United States in 1900 after the Second Samoan Civil War. The U.S. Virgin Islands were purchased from Denmark in 1917. The United States entered World War I alongside the Allies in 1917 helping to turn the tide against the Central Powers. In 1920, a constitutional amendment granted nationwide women's suffrage. During the 1920s and 1930s, radio for mass communication and early television transformed communications nationwide. The Wall Street Crash of 1929 triggered the Great Depression, to which President Franklin D. Roosevelt responded with the New Deal plan of "reform, recovery and relief", a series of unprecedented and sweeping recovery programs and employment relief projects combined with financial reforms and regulations. Initially neutral during World War II, the U.S. began supplying war materiel to the Allies of World War II in March 1941 and entered the war in December after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. Agreeing to a "Europe first" policy, the U.S. concentrated its wartime efforts on Japan's allies Italy and Germany until their final defeat in May 1945. The U.S. developed the first nuclear weapons and used them against the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, ending the war. The United States was one of the "Four Policemen" who met to plan the post-war world, alongside the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and China. The U.S. emerged relatively unscathed from the war, with even greater economic power and international political influence. The end of World War II in 1945 left the U.S. and the Soviet Union as superpowers, each with its own political, military, and economic sphere of influence. Geopolitical tensions between the two superpowers soon led to the Cold War. The U.S. implemented a policy of containment intended to limit the Soviet Union's sphere of influence; engaged in regime change against governments perceived to be aligned with the Soviets; and prevailed in the Space Race, which culminated with the first crewed Moon landing in 1969. Domestically, the U.S. experienced economic growth, urbanization, and population growth following World War II. The civil rights movement emerged, with Martin Luther King Jr. becoming a prominent leader in the early 1960s. The Great Society plan of President Lyndon B. Johnson's administration resulted in groundbreaking and broad-reaching laws, policies and a constitutional amendment to counteract some of the worst effects of lingering institutional racism. The counterculture movement in the U.S. brought significant social changes, including the liberalization of attitudes toward recreational drug use and sexuality. It also encouraged open defiance of the military draft (leading to the end of conscription in 1973) and wide opposition to U.S. intervention in Vietnam, with the U.S. totally withdrawing in 1975. A societal shift in the roles of women was significantly responsible for the large increase in female paid labor participation starting in the 1970s, and by 1985 the majority of American women aged 16 and older were employed. The Fall of Communism and the dissolution of the Soviet Union from 1989 to 1991 marked the end of the Cold War and left the United States as the world's sole superpower. This cemented the United States' global influence, reinforcing the concept of the "American Century" as the U.S. dominated international political, cultural, economic, and military affairs. The 1990s saw the longest recorded economic expansion in American history, a dramatic decline in U.S. crime rates, and advances in technology. Throughout this decade, technological innovations such as the World Wide Web, the evolution of the Pentium microprocessor in accordance with Moore's law, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, the first gene therapy trial, and cloning either emerged in the U.S. or were improved upon there. The Human Genome Project was formally launched in 1990, while Nasdaq became the first stock market in the United States to trade online in 1998. In the Gulf War of 1991, an American-led international coalition of states expelled an Iraqi invasion force that had occupied neighboring Kuwait. The September 11 attacks on the United States in 2001 by the pan-Islamist militant organization al-Qaeda led to the war on terror and subsequent military interventions in Afghanistan and in Iraq. The U.S. housing bubble culminated in 2007 with the Great Recession, the largest economic contraction since the Great Depression. In the 2010s and early 2020s, the United States has experienced increased political polarization and democratic backsliding. The country's polarization was violently reflected in the January 2021 Capitol attack, when a mob of insurrectionists entered the U.S. Capitol and sought to prevent the peaceful transfer of power in an attempted self-coup d'état. Geography The United States is the world's third-largest country by total area behind Russia and Canada.[c] The 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia have a combined area of 3,119,885 square miles (8,080,470 km2). In 2021, the United States had 8% of the Earth's permanent meadows and pastures and 10% of its cropland. Starting in the east, the coastal plain of the Atlantic seaboard gives way to inland forests and rolling hills in the Piedmont plateau region. The Appalachian Mountains and the Adirondack Massif separate the East Coast from the Great Lakes and the grasslands of the Midwest. The Mississippi River System, the world's fourth-longest river system, runs predominantly north–south through the center of the country. The flat and fertile prairie of the Great Plains stretches to the west, interrupted by a highland region in the southeast. The Rocky Mountains, west of the Great Plains, extend north to south across the country, peaking at over 14,000 feet (4,300 m) in Colorado. The supervolcano underlying Yellowstone National Park in the Rocky Mountains, the Yellowstone Caldera, is the continent's largest volcanic feature. Farther west are the rocky Great Basin and the Chihuahuan, Sonoran, and Mojave deserts. In the northwest corner of Arizona, carved by the Colorado River, is the Grand Canyon, a steep-sided canyon and popular tourist destination known for its overwhelming visual size and intricate, colorful landscape. The Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges run close to the Pacific coast. The lowest and highest points in the contiguous United States are in the State of California, about 84 miles (135 km) apart. At an elevation of 20,310 feet (6,190.5 m), Alaska's Denali (also called Mount McKinley) is the highest peak in the country and on the continent. Active volcanoes in the U.S. are common throughout Alaska's Alexander and Aleutian Islands. Located entirely outside North America, the archipelago of Hawaii consists of volcanic islands, physiographically and ethnologically part of the Polynesian subregion of Oceania. In addition to its total land area, the United States has one of the world's largest marine exclusive economic zones spanning approximately 4.5 million square miles (11.7 million km2) of ocean. With its large size and geographic variety, the United States includes most climate types. East of the 100th meridian, the climate ranges from humid continental in the north to humid subtropical in the south. The western Great Plains are semi-arid. Many mountainous areas of the American West have an alpine climate. The climate is arid in the Southwest, Mediterranean in coastal California, and oceanic in coastal Oregon, Washington, and southern Alaska. Most of Alaska is subarctic or polar. Hawaii, the southern tip of Florida and U.S. territories in the Caribbean and Pacific are tropical. The United States receives more high-impact extreme weather incidents than any other country. States bordering the Gulf of Mexico are prone to hurricanes, and most of the world's tornadoes occur in the country, mainly in Tornado Alley. Due to climate change in the country, extreme weather has become more frequent in the U.S. in the 21st century, with three times the number of reported heat waves compared to the 1960s. Since the 1990s, droughts in the American Southwest have become more persistent and more severe. The regions considered as the most attractive to the population are the most vulnerable. The U.S. is one of 17 megadiverse countries containing large numbers of endemic species: about 17,000 species of vascular plants occur in the contiguous United States and Alaska, and over 1,800 species of flowering plants are found in Hawaii, few of which occur on the mainland. The United States is home to 428 mammal species, 784 birds, 311 reptiles, 295 amphibians, and around 91,000 insect species. There are 63 national parks, and hundreds of other federally managed monuments, forests, and wilderness areas, administered by the National Park Service and other agencies. About 28% of the country's land is publicly owned and federally managed, primarily in the Western States. Most of this land is protected, though some is leased for commercial use, and less than one percent is used for military purposes. Environmental issues in the United States include debates on non-renewable resources and nuclear energy, air and water pollution, biodiversity, logging and deforestation, and climate change. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the federal agency charged with addressing most environmental-related issues. The idea of wilderness has shaped the management of public lands since 1964, with the Wilderness Act. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 provides a way to protect threatened and endangered species and their habitats. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service implements and enforces the Act. In 2024, the U.S. ranked 35th among 180 countries in the Environmental Performance Index. Government and politics The United States is a federal republic of 50 states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The U.S. asserts sovereignty over five unincorporated territories and several uninhabited island possessions. It is the world's oldest surviving federation, and its presidential system of federal government has been adopted, in whole or in part, by many newly independent states worldwide following their decolonization. The Constitution of the United States serves as the country's supreme legal document. Most scholars describe the United States as a liberal democracy.[r] Composed of three branches, all headquartered in Washington, D.C., the federal government is the national government of the United States. The U.S. Constitution establishes a separation of powers intended to provide a system of checks and balances to prevent any of the three branches from becoming supreme. The three-branch system is known as the presidential system, in contrast to the parliamentary system where the executive is part of the legislative body. Many countries around the world adopted this aspect of the 1789 Constitution of the United States, especially in the postcolonial Americas. In the U.S. federal system, sovereign powers are shared between three levels of government specified in the Constitution: the federal government, the states, and Indian tribes. The U.S. also asserts sovereignty over five permanently inhabited territories: American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Residents of the 50 states are governed by their elected state government, under state constitutions compatible with the national constitution, and by elected local governments that are administrative divisions of a state. States are subdivided into counties or county equivalents, and (except for Hawaii) further divided into municipalities, each administered by elected representatives. The District of Columbia is a federal district containing the U.S. capital, Washington, D.C. The federal district is an administrative division of the federal government. Indian country is made up of 574 federally recognized tribes and 326 Indian reservations. They hold a government-to-government relationship with the U.S. federal government in Washington and are legally defined as domestic dependent nations with inherent tribal sovereignty rights. In addition to the five major territories, the U.S. also asserts sovereignty over the United States Minor Outlying Islands in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean. The seven undisputed islands without permanent populations are Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Atoll, and Palmyra Atoll. U.S. sovereignty over the unpopulated Bajo Nuevo Bank, Navassa Island, Serranilla Bank, and Wake Island is disputed. The Constitution is silent on political parties. However, they developed independently in the 18th century with the Federalist and Anti-Federalist parties. Since then, the United States has operated as a de facto two-party system, though the parties have changed over time. Since the mid-19th century, the two main national parties have been the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. The former is perceived as relatively liberal in its political platform while the latter is perceived as relatively conservative in its platform. The United States has an established structure of foreign relations, with the world's second-largest diplomatic corps as of 2024[update]. It is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and home to the United Nations headquarters. The United States is a member of the G7, G20, and OECD intergovernmental organizations. Almost all countries have embassies and many have consulates (official representatives) in the country. Likewise, nearly all countries host formal diplomatic missions with the United States, except Iran, North Korea, and Bhutan. Though Taiwan does not have formal diplomatic relations with the U.S., it maintains close unofficial relations. The United States regularly supplies Taiwan with military equipment to deter potential Chinese aggression. Its geopolitical attention also turned to the Indo-Pacific when the United States joined the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue with Australia, India, and Japan. The United States has a "Special Relationship" with the United Kingdom and strong ties with Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Israel, and several European Union countries such as France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Poland. The U.S. works closely with its NATO allies on military and national security issues, and with countries in the Americas through the Organization of American States and the United States–Mexico–Canada Free Trade Agreement. The U.S. exercises full international defense authority and responsibility for Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau through the Compact of Free Association. It has increasingly conducted strategic cooperation with India, while its ties with China have steadily deteriorated. Beginning in 2014, the U.S. had become a key ally of Ukraine. After Donald Trump was elected U.S. president in 2024, he sought to negotiate an end to the Russo-Ukrainian War. He paused all military aid to Ukraine in March 2025, although the aid resumed later. Trump also ended U.S. intelligence sharing with the country, but this too was eventually restored. The president is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces and appoints its leaders, the secretary of defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Department of Defense, headquartered at the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., administers five of the six service branches, which are made up of the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force. The Coast Guard is administered by the Department of Homeland Security in peacetime and can be transferred to the Department of the Navy in wartime. Total strength of the entire military is about 1.3 million active duty with an additional 400,000 in reserve. The United States spent $997 billion on its military in 2024, which is by far the largest amount of any country, making up 37% of global military spending and accounting for 3.4% of the country's GDP. The U.S. possesses 42% of the world's nuclear weapons—the second-largest stockpile after that of Russia. The U.S. military is widely regarded as the most powerful and advanced in the world. The United States has the third-largest combined armed forces in the world, behind the Chinese People's Liberation Army and Indian Armed Forces. The U.S. military operates about 800 bases and facilities abroad, and maintains deployments greater than 100 active duty personnel in 25 foreign countries. The United States has engaged in over 400 military interventions since its founding in 1776, with over half of these occurring between 1950 and 2019 and 25% occurring in the post-Cold War era. State defense forces (SDFs) are military units that operate under the sole authority of a state government. SDFs are authorized by state and federal law but are under the command of the state's governor. By contrast, the 54 U.S. National Guard organizations[t] fall under the dual control of state or territorial governments and the federal government; their units can also become federalized entities, but SDFs cannot be federalized. The National Guard personnel of a state or territory can be federalized by the president under the National Defense Act Amendments of 1933; this legislation created the Guard and provides for the integration of Army National Guard and Air National Guard units and personnel into the U.S. Army and (since 1947) the U.S. Air Force. The total number of National Guard members is about 430,000, while the estimated combined strength of SDFs is less than 10,000. There are about 18,000 U.S. police agencies from local to national level in the United States. Law in the United States is mainly enforced by local police departments and sheriff departments in their municipal or county jurisdictions. The state police departments have authority in their respective state, and federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Marshals Service have national jurisdiction and specialized duties, such as protecting civil rights, national security, enforcing U.S. federal courts' rulings and federal laws, and interstate criminal activity. State courts conduct almost all civil and criminal trials, while federal courts adjudicate the much smaller number of civil and criminal cases that relate to federal law. There is no unified "criminal justice system" in the United States. The American prison system is largely heterogenous, with thousands of relatively independent systems operating across federal, state, local, and tribal levels. In 2025, "these systems hold nearly 2 million people in 1,566 state prisons, 98 federal prisons, 3,116 local jails, 1,277 juvenile correctional facilities, 133 immigration detention facilities, and 80 Indian country jails, as well as in military prisons, civil commitment centers, state psychiatric hospitals, and prisons in the U.S. territories." Despite disparate systems of confinement, four main institutions dominate: federal prisons, state prisons, local jails, and juvenile correctional facilities. Federal prisons are run by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and hold pretrial detainees as well as people who have been convicted of federal crimes. State prisons, run by the department of corrections of each state, hold people sentenced and serving prison time (usually longer than one year) for felony offenses. Local jails are county or municipal facilities that incarcerate defendants prior to trial; they also hold those serving short sentences (typically under a year). Juvenile correctional facilities are operated by local or state governments and serve as longer-term placements for any minor adjudicated as delinquent and ordered by a judge to be confined. In January 2023, the United States had the sixth-highest per capita incarceration rate in the world—531 people per 100,000 inhabitants—and the largest prison and jail population in the world, with more than 1.9 million people incarcerated. An analysis of the World Health Organization Mortality Database from 2010 showed U.S. homicide rates "were 7 times higher than in other high-income countries, driven by a gun homicide rate that was 25 times higher". Economy The U.S. has a highly developed mixed economy that has been the world's largest nominally since about 1890. Its 2024 gross domestic product (GDP)[e] of more than $29 trillion constituted over 25% of nominal global economic output, or 15% at purchasing power parity (PPP). From 1983 to 2008, U.S. real compounded annual GDP growth was 3.3%, compared to a 2.3% weighted average for the rest of the G7. The country ranks first in the world by nominal GDP, second when adjusted for purchasing power parities (PPP), and ninth by PPP-adjusted GDP per capita. In February 2024, the total U.S. federal government debt was $34.4 trillion. Of the world's 500 largest companies by revenue, 138 were headquartered in the U.S. in 2025, the highest number of any country. The U.S. dollar is the currency most used in international transactions and the world's foremost reserve currency, backed by the country's dominant economy, its military, the petrodollar system, its large U.S. treasuries market, and its linked eurodollar. Several countries use it as their official currency, and in others it is the de facto currency. The U.S. has free trade agreements with several countries, including the USMCA. Although the United States has reached a post-industrial level of economic development and is often described as having a service economy, it remains a major industrial power; in 2024, the U.S. manufacturing sector was the world's second-largest by value output after China's. New York City is the world's principal financial center, and its metropolitan area is the world's largest metropolitan economy. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, both located in New York City, are the world's two largest stock exchanges by market capitalization and trade volume. The United States is at the forefront of technological advancement and innovation in many economic fields, especially in artificial intelligence; electronics and computers; pharmaceuticals; and medical, aerospace and military equipment. The country's economy is fueled by abundant natural resources, a well-developed infrastructure, and high productivity. The largest trading partners of the United States are the European Union, Mexico, Canada, China, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, India, and Taiwan. The United States is the world's largest importer and second-largest exporter.[u] It is by far the world's largest exporter of services. Americans have the highest average household and employee income among OECD member states, and the fourth-highest median household income in 2023, up from sixth-highest in 2013. With personal consumption expenditures of over $18.5 trillion in 2023, the U.S. has a heavily consumer-driven economy and is the world's largest consumer market. The U.S. ranked first in the number of dollar billionaires and millionaires in 2023, with 735 billionaires and nearly 22 million millionaires. Wealth in the United States is highly concentrated; in 2011, the richest 10% of the adult population owned 72% of the country's household wealth, while the bottom 50% owned just 2%. U.S. wealth inequality increased substantially since the late 1980s, and income inequality in the U.S. reached a record high in 2019. In 2024, the country had some of the highest wealth and income inequality levels among OECD countries. Since the 1970s, there has been a decoupling of U.S. wage gains from worker productivity. In 2016, the top fifth of earners took home more than half of all income, giving the U.S. one of the widest income distributions among OECD countries. There were about 771,480 homeless persons in the U.S. in 2024. In 2022, 6.4 million children experienced food insecurity. Feeding America estimates that around one in five, or approximately 13 million, children experience hunger in the U.S. and do not know where or when they will get their next meal. Also in 2022, about 37.9 million people, or 11.5% of the U.S. population, were living in poverty. The United States has a smaller welfare state and redistributes less income through government action than most other high-income countries. It is the only advanced economy that does not guarantee its workers paid vacation nationally and one of a few countries in the world without federal paid family leave as a legal right. The United States has a higher percentage of low-income workers than almost any other developed country, largely because of a weak collective bargaining system and lack of government support for at-risk workers. The United States has been a leader in technological innovation since the late 19th century and scientific research since the mid-20th century. Methods for producing interchangeable parts and the establishment of a machine tool industry enabled the large-scale manufacturing of U.S. consumer products in the late 19th century. By the early 20th century, factory electrification, the introduction of the assembly line, and other labor-saving techniques created the system of mass production. In the 21st century, the United States continues to be one of the world's foremost scientific powers, though China has emerged as a major competitor in many fields. The U.S. has the highest research and development expenditures of any country and ranks ninth as a percentage of GDP. In 2022, the United States was (after China) the country with the second-highest number of published scientific papers. In 2021, the U.S. ranked second (also after China) by the number of patent applications, and third by trademark and industrial design applications (after China and Germany), according to World Intellectual Property Indicators. In 2025 the United States ranked third (after Switzerland and Sweden) in the Global Innovation Index. The United States is considered to be a world leader in the development of artificial intelligence technology. In 2023, the United States was ranked the second most technologically advanced country in the world (after South Korea) by Global Finance magazine. The United States has maintained a space program since the late 1950s, beginning with the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1958. NASA's Apollo program (1961–1972) achieved the first crewed Moon landing with the 1969 Apollo 11 mission; it remains one of the agency's most significant milestones. Other major endeavors by NASA include the Space Shuttle program (1981–2011), the Voyager program (1972–present), the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes (launched in 1990 and 2021, respectively), and the multi-mission Mars Exploration Program (Spirit and Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance). NASA is one of five agencies collaborating on the International Space Station (ISS); U.S. contributions to the ISS include several modules, including Destiny (2001), Harmony (2007), and Tranquility (2010), as well as ongoing logistical and operational support. The United States private sector dominates the global commercial spaceflight industry. Prominent American spaceflight contractors include Blue Origin, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and SpaceX. NASA programs such as the Commercial Crew Program, Commercial Resupply Services, Commercial Lunar Payload Services, and NextSTEP have facilitated growing private-sector involvement in American spaceflight. In 2023, the United States received approximately 84% of its energy from fossil fuel, and its largest source of energy was petroleum (38%), followed by natural gas (36%), renewable sources (9%), coal (9%), and nuclear power (9%). In 2022, the United States constituted about 4% of the world's population, but consumed around 16% of the world's energy. The U.S. ranks as the second-highest emitter of greenhouse gases behind China. The U.S. is the world's largest producer of nuclear power, generating around 30% of the world's nuclear electricity. It also has the highest number of nuclear power reactors of any country. From 2024, the U.S. plans to triple its nuclear power capacity by 2050. The United States' 4 million miles (6.4 million kilometers) of road network, owned almost entirely by state and local governments, is the longest in the world. The extensive Interstate Highway System that connects all major U.S. cities is funded mostly by the federal government but maintained by state departments of transportation. The system is further extended by state highways and some private toll roads. The U.S. is among the top ten countries with the highest vehicle ownership per capita (850 vehicles per 1,000 people) in 2022. A 2022 study found that 76% of U.S. commuters drive alone and 14% ride a bicycle, including bike owners and users of bike-sharing networks. About 11% use some form of public transportation. Public transportation in the United States is well developed in the largest urban areas, notably New York City, Washington, D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Francisco; otherwise, coverage is generally less extensive than in most other developed countries. The U.S. also has many relatively car-dependent localities. Long-distance intercity travel is provided primarily by airlines, but travel by rail is more common along the Northeast Corridor, the only high-speed rail in the U.S. that meets international standards. Amtrak, the country's government-sponsored national passenger rail company, has a relatively sparse network compared to that of Western European countries. Service is concentrated in the Northeast, California, the Midwest, the Pacific Northwest, and Virginia/Southeast. The United States has an extensive air transportation network. U.S. civilian airlines are all privately owned. The three largest airlines in the world, by total number of passengers carried, are U.S.-based; American Airlines became the global leader after its 2013 merger with US Airways. Of the 50 busiest airports in the world, 16 are in the United States, as well as five of the top 10. The world's busiest airport by passenger volume is Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2022, most of the 19,969 U.S. airports were owned and operated by local government authorities, and there are also some private airports. Some 5,193 are designated as "public use", including for general aviation. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has provided security at most major airports since 2001. The country's rail transport network, the longest in the world at 182,412.3 mi (293,564.2 km), handles mostly freight (in contrast to more passenger-centered rail in Europe). Because they are often privately owned operations, U.S. railroads lag behind those of the rest of the world in terms of electrification. The country's inland waterways are the world's fifth-longest, totaling 25,482 mi (41,009 km). They are used extensively for freight, recreation, and a small amount of passenger traffic. Of the world's 50 busiest container ports, four are located in the United States, with the busiest in the country being the Port of Los Angeles. Demographics The U.S. Census Bureau reported 331,449,281 residents on April 1, 2020,[v] making the United States the third-most-populous country in the world, after India and China. The Census Bureau's official 2025 population estimate was 341,784,857, an increase of 3.1% since the 2020 census. According to the Bureau's U.S. Population Clock, on July 1, 2024, the U.S. population had a net gain of one person every 16 seconds, or about 5400 people per day. In 2023, 51% of Americans age 15 and over were married, 6% were widowed, 10% were divorced, and 34% had never been married. In 2023, the total fertility rate for the U.S. stood at 1.6 children per woman, and, at 23%, it had the world's highest rate of children living in single-parent households in 2019. Most Americans live in the suburbs of major metropolitan areas. The United States has a diverse population; 37 ancestry groups have more than one million members. White Americans with ancestry from Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa form the largest racial and ethnic group at 57.8% of the United States population. Hispanic and Latino Americans form the second-largest group and are 18.7% of the United States population. African Americans constitute the country's third-largest ancestry group and are 12.1% of the total U.S. population. Asian Americans are the country's fourth-largest group, composing 5.9% of the United States population. The country's 3.7 million Native Americans account for about 1%, and some 574 native tribes are recognized by the federal government. In 2024, the median age of the United States population was 39.1 years. While many languages and dialects are spoken in the United States, English is by far the most commonly spoken and written. De facto, English is the official language of the United States, and in 2025, Executive Order 14224 declared English official. However, the U.S. has never had a de jure official language, as Congress has never passed a law to designate English as official for all three federal branches. Some laws, such as U.S. naturalization requirements, nonetheless standardize English. Twenty-eight states and the United States Virgin Islands have laws that designate English as the sole official language; 19 states and the District of Columbia have no official language. Three states and four U.S. territories have recognized local or indigenous languages in addition to English: Hawaii (Hawaiian), Alaska (twenty Native languages),[w] South Dakota (Sioux), American Samoa (Samoan), Puerto Rico (Spanish), Guam (Chamorro), and the Northern Mariana Islands (Carolinian and Chamorro). In total, 169 Native American languages are spoken in the United States. In Puerto Rico, Spanish is more widely spoken than English. According to the American Community Survey (2020), some 245.4 million people in the U.S. age five and older spoke only English at home. About 41.2 million spoke Spanish at home, making it the second most commonly used language. Other languages spoken at home by one million people or more include Chinese (3.40 million), Tagalog (1.71 million), Vietnamese (1.52 million), Arabic (1.39 million), French (1.18 million), Korean (1.07 million), and Russian (1.04 million). German, spoken by 1 million people at home in 2010, fell to 857,000 total speakers in 2020. America's immigrant population is by far the world's largest in absolute terms. In 2022, there were 87.7 million immigrants and U.S.-born children of immigrants in the United States, accounting for nearly 27% of the overall U.S. population. In 2017, out of the U.S. foreign-born population, some 45% (20.7 million) were naturalized citizens, 27% (12.3 million) were lawful permanent residents, 6% (2.2 million) were temporary lawful residents, and 23% (10.5 million) were unauthorized immigrants. In 2019, the top countries of origin for immigrants were Mexico (24% of immigrants), India (6%), China (5%), the Philippines (4.5%), and El Salvador (3%). In fiscal year 2022, over one million immigrants (most of whom entered through family reunification) were granted legal residence. The undocumented immigrant population in the U.S. reached a record high of 14 million in 2023. The First Amendment guarantees the free exercise of religion in the country and forbids Congress from passing laws respecting its establishment. Religious practice is widespread, among the most diverse in the world, and profoundly vibrant. The country has the world's largest Christian population, which includes the fourth-largest population of Catholics. Other notable faiths include Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, New Age, and Native American religions. Religious practice varies significantly by region. "Ceremonial deism" is common in American culture. The overwhelming majority of Americans believe in a higher power or spiritual force, engage in spiritual practices such as prayer, and consider themselves religious or spiritual. In the Southern United States' "Bible Belt", evangelical Protestantism plays a significant role culturally; New England and the Western United States tend to be more secular. Mormonism, a Restorationist movement founded in the U.S. in 1847, is the predominant religion in Utah and a major religion in Idaho. About 82% of Americans live in metropolitan areas, particularly in suburbs; about half of those reside in cities with populations over 50,000. In 2022, 333 incorporated municipalities had populations over 100,000, nine cities had more than one million residents, and four cities—New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston—had populations exceeding two million. Many U.S. metropolitan populations are growing rapidly, particularly in the South and West. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), average U.S. life expectancy at birth reached 79.0 years in 2024, its highest recorded level. This was an increase of 0.6 years over 2023. The CDC attributed the improvement to a significant fall in the number of fatal drug overdoses in the country, noting that "heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States, followed by cancer and unintentional injuries." In 2024, life expectancy at birth for American men rose to 76.5 years (+0.7 years compared to 2023), while life expectancy for women was 81.4 years (+0.3 years). Starting in 1998, life expectancy in the U.S. fell behind that of other wealthy industrialized countries, and Americans' "health disadvantage" gap has been increasing ever since. The Commonwealth Fund reported in 2020 that the U.S. had the highest suicide rate among high-income countries. Approximately one-third of the U.S. adult population is obese and another third is overweight. The U.S. healthcare system far outspends that of any other country, measured both in per capita spending and as a percentage of GDP, but attains worse healthcare outcomes when compared to peer countries for reasons that are debated. The United States is the only developed country without a system of universal healthcare, and a significant proportion of the population that does not carry health insurance. Government-funded healthcare coverage for the poor (Medicaid) and for those age 65 and older (Medicare) is available to Americans who meet the programs' income or age qualifications. In 2010, then-President Obama passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.[x] Abortion in the United States is not federally protected, and is illegal or restricted in 17 states. American primary and secondary education, known in the U.S. as K–12 ("kindergarten through 12th grade"), is decentralized. School systems are operated by state, territorial, and sometimes municipal governments and regulated by the U.S. Department of Education. In general, children are required to attend school or an approved homeschool from the age of five or six (kindergarten or first grade) until they are 18 years old. This often brings students through the 12th grade, the final year of a U.S. high school, but some states and territories allow them to leave school earlier, at age 16 or 17. The U.S. spends more on education per student than any other country, an average of $18,614 per year per public elementary and secondary school student in 2020–2021. Among Americans age 25 and older, 92.2% graduated from high school, 62.7% attended some college, 37.7% earned a bachelor's degree, and 14.2% earned a graduate degree. The U.S. literacy rate is near-universal. The U.S. has produced the most Nobel Prize winners of any country, with 411 (having won 413 awards). U.S. tertiary or higher education has earned a global reputation. Many of the world's top universities, as listed by various ranking organizations, are in the United States, including 19 of the top 25. American higher education is dominated by state university systems, although the country's many private universities and colleges enroll about 20% of all American students. Local community colleges generally offer open admissions, lower tuition, and coursework leading to a two-year associate degree or a non-degree certificate. As for public expenditures on higher education, the U.S. spends more per student than the OECD average, and Americans spend more than all nations in combined public and private spending. Colleges and universities directly funded by the federal government do not charge tuition and are limited to military personnel and government employees, including: the U.S. service academies, the Naval Postgraduate School, and military staff colleges. Despite some student loan forgiveness programs in place, student loan debt increased by 102% between 2010 and 2020, and exceeded $1.7 trillion in 2022. Culture and society The United States is home to a wide variety of ethnic groups, traditions, and customs. The country has been described as having the values of individualism and personal autonomy, as well as a strong work ethic and competitiveness. Voluntary altruism towards others also plays a major role; according to a 2016 study by the Charities Aid Foundation, Americans donated 1.44% of total GDP to charity—the highest rate in the world by a large margin. Americans have traditionally been characterized by a unifying political belief in an "American Creed" emphasizing consent of the governed, liberty, equality under the law, democracy, social equality, property rights, and a preference for limited government. The U.S. has acquired significant hard and soft power through its diplomatic influence, economic power, military alliances, and cultural exports such as American movies, music, video games, sports, and food. The influence that the United States exerts on other countries through soft power is referred to as Americanization. Nearly all present Americans or their ancestors came from Europe, Africa, or Asia (the "Old World") within the past five centuries. Mainstream American culture is a Western culture largely derived from the traditions of European immigrants with influences from many other sources, such as traditions brought by slaves from Africa. More recent immigration from Asia and especially Latin America has added to a cultural mix that has been described as a homogenizing melting pot, and a heterogeneous salad bowl, with immigrants contributing to, and often assimilating into, mainstream American culture. Under the First Amendment to the Constitution, the United States is considered to have the strongest protections of free speech of any country. Flag desecration, hate speech, blasphemy, and lese majesty are all forms of protected expression. A 2016 Pew Research Center poll found that Americans were the most supportive of free expression of any polity measured. Additionally, they are the "most supportive of freedom of the press and the right to use the Internet without government censorship". The U.S. is a socially progressive country with permissive attitudes surrounding human sexuality. LGBTQ rights in the United States are among the most advanced by global standards. The American Dream, or the perception that Americans enjoy high levels of social mobility, plays a key role in attracting immigrants. Whether this perception is accurate has been a topic of debate. While mainstream culture holds that the United States is a classless society, scholars identify significant differences between the country's social classes, affecting socialization, language, and values. Americans tend to greatly value socioeconomic achievement, but being ordinary or average is promoted by some as a noble condition as well. The National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities is an agency of the United States federal government that was established in 1965 with the purpose to "develop and promote a broadly conceived national policy of support for the humanities and the arts in the United States, and for institutions which preserve the cultural heritage of the United States." It is composed of four sub-agencies: Colonial American authors were influenced by John Locke and other Enlightenment philosophers. The American Revolutionary Period (1765–1783) is notable for the political writings of Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Paine, and Thomas Jefferson. Shortly before and after the Revolutionary War, the newspaper rose to prominence, filling a demand for anti-British national literature. An early novel is William Hill Brown's The Power of Sympathy, published in 1791. Writer and critic John Neal in the early- to mid-19th century helped advance America toward a unique literature and culture by criticizing predecessors such as Washington Irving for imitating their British counterparts, and by influencing writers such as Edgar Allan Poe, who took American poetry and short fiction in new directions. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Margaret Fuller pioneered the influential Transcendentalism movement; Henry David Thoreau, author of Walden, was influenced by this movement. The conflict surrounding abolitionism inspired writers, like Harriet Beecher Stowe, and authors of slave narratives, such as Frederick Douglass. Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter (1850) explored the dark side of American history, as did Herman Melville's Moby-Dick (1851). Major American poets of the 19th century American Renaissance include Walt Whitman, Melville, and Emily Dickinson. Mark Twain was the first major American writer to be born in the West. Henry James achieved international recognition with novels like The Portrait of a Lady (1881). As literacy rates rose, periodicals published more stories centered around industrial workers, women, and the rural poor. Naturalism, regionalism, and realism were the major literary movements of the period. While modernism generally took on an international character, modernist authors working within the United States more often rooted their work in specific regions, peoples, and cultures. Following the Great Migration to northern cities, African-American and black West Indian authors of the Harlem Renaissance developed an independent tradition of literature that rebuked a history of inequality and celebrated black culture. An important cultural export during the Jazz Age, these writings were a key influence on Négritude, a philosophy emerging in the 1930s among francophone writers of the African diaspora. In the 1950s, an ideal of homogeneity led many authors to attempt to write the Great American Novel, while the Beat Generation rejected this conformity, using styles that elevated the impact of the spoken word over mechanics to describe drug use, sexuality, and the failings of society. Contemporary literature is more pluralistic than in previous eras, with the closest thing to a unifying feature being a trend toward self-conscious experiments with language. Twelve American laureates have won the Nobel Prize in Literature. Media in the United States is broadly uncensored, with the First Amendment providing significant protections, as reiterated in New York Times Co. v. United States. The four major broadcasters in the U.S. are the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), American Broadcasting Company (ABC), and Fox Broadcasting Company (Fox). The four major broadcast television networks are all commercial entities. The U.S. cable television system offers hundreds of channels catering to a variety of niches. In 2021, about 83% of Americans over age 12 listened to broadcast radio, while about 40% listened to podcasts. In the prior year, there were 15,460 licensed full-power radio stations in the U.S. according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Much of the public radio broadcasting is supplied by National Public Radio (NPR), incorporated in February 1970 under the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967. U.S. newspapers with a global reach and reputation include The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and USA Today. About 800 publications are produced in Spanish. With few exceptions, newspapers are privately owned, either by large chains such as Gannett or McClatchy, which own dozens or even hundreds of newspapers; by small chains that own a handful of papers; or, in an increasingly rare situation, by individuals or families. Major cities often have alternative newspapers to complement the mainstream daily papers, such as The Village Voice in New York City and LA Weekly in Los Angeles. The five most-visited websites in the world are Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and ChatGPT—all of them American-owned. Other popular platforms used include X (formerly Twitter) and Amazon. In 2025, the U.S. was the world's second-largest video game market by revenue (after China). In 2015, the U.S. video game industry consisted of 2,457 companies that employed around 220,000 jobs and generated $30.4 billion in revenue. There are 444 game publishers, developers, and hardware companies in California alone. According to the Game Developers Conference (GDC), the U.S. is the top location for video game development, with 58% of the world's game developers based there in 2025. The United States is well known for its theater. Mainstream theater in the United States derives from the old European theatrical tradition and has been heavily influenced by the British theater. By the middle of the 19th century, America had created new distinct dramatic forms in the Tom Shows, the showboat theater and the minstrel show. The central hub of the American theater scene is the Theater District in Manhattan, with its divisions of Broadway, off-Broadway, and off-off-Broadway. Many movie and television celebrities have gotten their big break working in New York productions. Outside New York City, many cities have professional regional or resident theater companies that produce their own seasons. The biggest-budget theatrical productions are musicals. U.S. theater has an active community theater culture. The Tony Awards recognizes excellence in live Broadway theater and are presented at an annual ceremony in Manhattan. The awards are given for Broadway productions and performances. One is also given for regional theater. Several discretionary non-competitive awards are given as well, including a Special Tony Award, the Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre, and the Isabelle Stevenson Award. Folk art in colonial America grew out of artisanal craftsmanship in communities that allowed commonly trained people to individually express themselves. It was distinct from Europe's tradition of high art, which was less accessible and generally less relevant to early American settlers. Cultural movements in art and craftsmanship in colonial America generally lagged behind those of Western Europe. For example, the prevailing medieval style of woodworking and primitive sculpture became integral to early American folk art, despite the emergence of Renaissance styles in England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The new English styles would have been early enough to make a considerable impact on American folk art, but American styles and forms had already been firmly adopted. Not only did styles change slowly in early America, but there was a tendency for rural artisans there to continue their traditional forms longer than their urban counterparts did—and far longer than those in Western Europe. The Hudson River School was a mid-19th-century movement in the visual arts tradition of European naturalism. The 1913 Armory Show in New York City, an exhibition of European modernist art, shocked the public and transformed the U.S. art scene. American Realism and American Regionalism sought to reflect and give America new ways of looking at itself. Georgia O'Keeffe, Marsden Hartley, and others experimented with new and individualistic styles, which would become known as American modernism. Major artistic movements such as the abstract expressionism of Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning and the pop art of Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein developed largely in the United States. Major photographers include Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Steichen, Dorothea Lange, Edward Weston, James Van Der Zee, Ansel Adams, and Gordon Parks. The tide of modernism and then postmodernism has brought global fame to American architects, including Frank Lloyd Wright, Philip Johnson, and Frank Gehry. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan is the largest art museum in the United States and the fourth-largest in the world. American folk music encompasses numerous music genres, variously known as traditional music, traditional folk music, contemporary folk music, or roots music. Many traditional songs have been sung within the same family or folk group for generations, and sometimes trace back to such origins as the British Isles, mainland Europe, or Africa. The rhythmic and lyrical styles of African-American music in particular have influenced American music. Banjos were brought to America through the slave trade. Minstrel shows incorporating the instrument into their acts led to its increased popularity and widespread production in the 19th century. The electric guitar, first invented in the 1930s, and mass-produced by the 1940s, had an enormous influence on popular music, in particular due to the development of rock and roll. The synthesizer, turntablism, and electronic music were also largely developed in the U.S. Elements from folk idioms such as the blues and old-time music were adopted and transformed into popular genres with global audiences. Jazz grew from blues and ragtime in the early 20th century, developing from the innovations and recordings of composers such as W.C. Handy and Jelly Roll Morton. Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington increased its popularity early in the 20th century. Country music developed in the 1920s, bluegrass and rhythm and blues in the 1940s, and rock and roll in the 1950s. In the 1960s, Bob Dylan emerged from the folk revival to become one of the country's most celebrated songwriters. The musical forms of punk and hip hop both originated in the United States in the 1970s. The United States has the world's largest music market, with a total retail value of $15.9 billion in 2022. Most of the world's major record companies are based in the U.S.; they are represented by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Mid-20th-century American pop stars, such as Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, became global celebrities and best-selling music artists, as have artists of the late 20th century, such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey, and of the early 21st century, such as Eminem, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. The United States has the world's largest apparel market by revenue. Apart from professional business attire, American fashion is eclectic and predominantly informal. Americans' diverse cultural roots are reflected in their clothing; however, sneakers, jeans, T-shirts, and baseball caps are emblematic of American styles. New York, with its Fashion Week, is considered to be one of the "Big Four" global fashion capitals, along with Paris, Milan, and London. A study demonstrated that general proximity to Manhattan's Garment District has been synonymous with American fashion since its inception in the early 20th century. A number of well-known designer labels, among them Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford and Calvin Klein, are headquartered in Manhattan. Labels cater to niche markets, such as preteens. New York Fashion Week is one of the most influential fashion shows in the world, and is held twice each year in Manhattan; the annual Met Gala, also in Manhattan, has been called the fashion world's "biggest night". The U.S. film industry has a worldwide influence and following. Hollywood, a district in central Los Angeles, the nation's second-most populous city, is also metonymous for the American filmmaking industry. The major film studios of the United States are the primary source of the most commercially successful movies selling the most tickets in the world. Largely centered in the New York City region from its beginnings in the late 19th century through the first decades of the 20th century, the U.S. film industry has since been primarily based in and around Hollywood. Nonetheless, American film companies have been subject to the forces of globalization in the 21st century, and an increasing number of films are made elsewhere. The Academy Awards, popularly known as "the Oscars", have been held annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences since 1929, and the Golden Globe Awards have been held annually since January 1944. The industry peaked in what is commonly referred to as the "Golden Age of Hollywood", from the early sound period until the early 1960s, with screen actors such as John Wayne and Marilyn Monroe becoming iconic figures. In the 1970s, "New Hollywood", or the "Hollywood Renaissance", was defined by grittier films influenced by French and Italian realist pictures of the post-war period. The 21st century has been marked by the rise of American streaming platforms, which came to rival traditional cinema. Early settlers were introduced by Native Americans to foods such as turkey, sweet potatoes, corn, squash, and maple syrup. Of the most enduring and pervasive examples are variations of the native dish called succotash. Early settlers and later immigrants combined these with foods they were familiar with, such as wheat flour, beef, and milk, to create a distinctive American cuisine. New World crops, especially pumpkin, corn, potatoes, and turkey as the main course are part of a shared national menu on Thanksgiving, when many Americans prepare or purchase traditional dishes to celebrate the occasion. Characteristic American dishes such as apple pie, fried chicken, doughnuts, french fries, macaroni and cheese, ice cream, hamburgers, hot dogs, and American pizza derive from the recipes of various immigrant groups. Mexican dishes such as burritos and tacos preexisted the United States in areas later annexed from Mexico, and adaptations of Chinese cuisine as well as pasta dishes freely adapted from Italian sources are all widely consumed. American chefs have had a significant impact on society both domestically and internationally. In 1946, the Culinary Institute of America was founded by Katharine Angell and Frances Roth. This would become the United States' most prestigious culinary school, where many of the most talented American chefs would study prior to successful careers. The United States restaurant industry was projected at $899 billion in sales for 2020, and employed more than 15 million people, representing 10% of the nation's workforce directly. It is the country's second-largest private employer and the third-largest employer overall. The United States is home to over 220 Michelin star-rated restaurants, 70 of which are in New York City. Wine has been produced in what is now the United States since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in what is now New Mexico in 1628. In the modern U.S., wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84 percent of all U.S. wine. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine-producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France. The classic American diner, a casual restaurant type originally intended for the working class, emerged during the 19th century from converted railroad dining cars made stationary. The diner soon evolved into purpose-built structures whose number expanded greatly in the 20th century. The American fast-food industry developed alongside the nation's car culture. American restaurants developed the drive-in format in the 1920s, which they began to replace with the drive-through format by the 1940s. American fast-food restaurant chains, such as McDonald's, Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Dunkin' Donuts and many others, have numerous outlets around the world. The most popular spectator sports in the U.S. are American football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and ice hockey. Their premier leagues are, respectively, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, and the National Hockey League, All these leagues enjoy wide-ranging domestic media coverage and, except for the MLS, all are considered the preeminent leagues in their respective sports in the world. While most major U.S. sports such as baseball and American football have evolved out of European practices, basketball, volleyball, skateboarding, and snowboarding are American inventions, many of which have become popular worldwide. Lacrosse and surfing arose from Native American and Native Hawaiian activities that predate European contact. The market for professional sports in the United States was approximately $69 billion in July 2013, roughly 50% larger than that of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa combined. American football is by several measures the most popular spectator sport in the United States. Although American football does not have a substantial following in other nations, the NFL does have the highest average attendance (67,254) of any professional sports league in the world. In the year 2024, the NFL generated over $23 billion, making them the most valued professional sports league in the United States and the world. Baseball has been regarded as the U.S. "national sport" since the late 19th century. The most-watched individual sports in the U.S. are golf and auto racing, particularly NASCAR and IndyCar. On the collegiate level, earnings for the member institutions exceed $1 billion annually, and college football and basketball attract large audiences, as the NCAA March Madness tournament and the College Football Playoff are some of the most watched national sporting events. In the U.S., the intercollegiate sports level serves as the main feeder system for professional and Olympic sports, with significant exceptions such as Minor League Baseball. This differs greatly from practices in nearly all other countries, where publicly and privately funded sports organizations serve this function. Eight Olympic Games have taken place in the United States. The 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis, Missouri, were the first-ever Olympic Games held outside of Europe. The Olympic Games will be held in the U.S. for a ninth time when Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Summer Olympics. U.S. athletes have won a total of 2,968 medals (1,179 gold) at the Olympic Games, the most of any country. In other international competition, the United States is the home of a number of prestigious events, including the America's Cup, World Baseball Classic, the U.S. Open, and the Masters Tournament. The U.S. men's national soccer team has qualified for eleven World Cups, while the women's national team has won the FIFA Women's World Cup and Olympic soccer tournament four and five times, respectively. The 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup was hosted by the United States. Its final match was attended by 90,185, setting the world record for largest women's sporting event crowd at the time. The United States hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup and will co-host, along with Canada and Mexico, the 2026 FIFA World Cup. See also Notes References This article incorporates text from a free content work. Licensed under CC BY-SA IGO 3.0 (license statement/permission). Text taken from World Food and Agriculture – Statistical Yearbook 2023, FAO, FAO. External links 40°N 100°W / 40°N 100°W / 40; -100 (United States of America)
========================================

[SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States#cite_ref-690] \| [TOKENS: 17273]
Contents United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 contiguous states border Canada to the north and Mexico to the south, with the semi-exclave of Alaska in the northwest and the archipelago of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. The United States also asserts sovereignty over five major island territories and various uninhabited islands in Oceania and the Caribbean.[j] It is a megadiverse country, with the world's third-largest land area[c] and third-largest population, exceeding 341 million.[k] Paleo-Indians first migrated from North Asia to North America at least 15,000 years ago, and formed various civilizations. Spanish colonization established Spanish Florida in 1513, the first European colony in what is now the continental United States. British colonization followed with the 1607 settlement of Virginia, the first of the Thirteen Colonies. Enslavement of Africans was practiced in all colonies by 1770 and supplied most of the labor for the Southern Colonies' plantation economy. Clashes with the British Crown began as a civil protest over the illegality of taxation without representation in Parliament and the denial of other English rights. They evolved into the American Revolution, which led to the Declaration of Independence and a society based on universal rights. Victory in the 1775–1783 Revolutionary War brought international recognition of U.S. sovereignty and fueled westward expansion, further dispossessing native inhabitants. As more states were admitted, a North–South division over slavery led the Confederate States of America to declare secession and fight the Union in the 1861–1865 American Civil War. With the United States' victory and reunification, slavery was abolished nationally. By the late 19th century, the U.S. economy outpaced the French, German and British economies combined. As of 1900, the country had established itself as a great power, a status solidified after its involvement in World War I. Following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the U.S. entered World War II. Its aftermath left the U.S. and the Soviet Union as rival superpowers, competing for ideological dominance and international influence during the Cold War. The Soviet Union's collapse in 1991 ended the Cold War, leaving the U.S. as the world's sole superpower. The U.S. federal government is a representative democracy with a president and a constitution that grants separation of powers under three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The United States Congress is a bicameral national legislature composed of the House of Representatives (a lower house based on population) and the Senate (an upper house based on equal representation for each state). Federalism grants substantial autonomy to the 50 states. In addition, 574 Native American tribes have sovereignty rights, and there are 326 Native American reservations. Since the 1850s, the Democratic and Republican parties have dominated American politics. American ideals and values are based on a democratic tradition inspired by the American Enlightenment movement. A developed country, the U.S. ranks high in economic competitiveness, innovation, and higher education. Accounting for over a quarter of nominal global GDP, its economy has been the world's largest since about 1890. It is the wealthiest country, with the highest disposable household income per capita among OECD members, though its wealth inequality is highly pronounced. Shaped by centuries of immigration, the culture of the U.S. is diverse and globally influential. Making up more than a third of global military spending, the country has one of the strongest armed forces and is a designated nuclear state. A member of numerous international organizations, the U.S. plays a major role in global political, cultural, economic, and military affairs. Etymology Documented use of the phrase "United States of America" dates back to January 2, 1776. On that day, Stephen Moylan, a Continental Army aide to General George Washington, wrote a letter to Joseph Reed, Washington's aide-de-camp, seeking to go "with full and ample powers from the United States of America to Spain" to seek assistance in the Revolutionary War effort. The first known public usage is an anonymous essay published in the Williamsburg newspaper The Virginia Gazette on April 6, 1776. Sometime on or after June 11, 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote "United States of America" in a rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, which was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The term "United States" and its initialism "U.S.", used as nouns or as adjectives in English, are common short names for the country. The initialism "USA", a noun, is also common. "United States" and "U.S." are the established terms throughout the U.S. federal government, with prescribed rules.[l] "The States" is an established colloquial shortening of the name, used particularly from abroad; "stateside" is the corresponding adjective or adverb. "America" is the feminine form of the first word of Americus Vesputius, the Latinized name of Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci (1454–1512);[m] it was first used as a place name by the German cartographers Martin Waldseemüller and Matthias Ringmann in 1507.[n] Vespucci first proposed that the West Indies discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492 were part of a previously unknown landmass and not among the Indies at the eastern limit of Asia. In English, the term "America" usually does not refer to topics unrelated to the United States, despite the usage of "the Americas" to describe the totality of the continents of North and South America. History The first inhabitants of North America migrated from Siberia approximately 15,000 years ago, either across the Bering land bridge or along the now-submerged Ice Age coastline. Small isolated groups of hunter-gatherers are said to have migrated alongside herds of large herbivores far into Alaska, with ice-free corridors developing along the Pacific coast and valleys of North America in c. 16,500 – c. 13,500 BCE (c. 18,500 – c. 15,500 BP). The Clovis culture, which appeared around 11,000 BCE, is believed to be the first widespread culture in the Americas. Over time, Indigenous North American cultures grew increasingly sophisticated, and some, such as the Mississippian culture, developed agriculture, architecture, and complex societies. In the post-archaic period, the Mississippian cultures were located in the midwestern, eastern, and southern regions, and the Algonquian in the Great Lakes region and along the Eastern Seaboard, while the Hohokam culture and Ancestral Puebloans inhabited the Southwest. Native population estimates of what is now the United States before the arrival of European colonizers range from around 500,000 to nearly 10 million. Christopher Columbus began exploring the Caribbean for Spain in 1492, leading to Spanish-speaking settlements and missions from what are now Puerto Rico and Florida to New Mexico and California. The first Spanish colony in the present-day continental United States was Spanish Florida, chartered in 1513. After several settlements failed there due to starvation and disease, Spain's first permanent town, Saint Augustine, was founded in 1565. France established its own settlements in French Florida in 1562, but they were either abandoned (Charlesfort, 1578) or destroyed by Spanish raids (Fort Caroline, 1565). Permanent French settlements were founded much later along the Great Lakes (Fort Detroit, 1701), the Mississippi River (Saint Louis, 1764) and especially the Gulf of Mexico (New Orleans, 1718). Early European colonies also included the thriving Dutch colony of New Nederland (settled 1626, present-day New York) and the small Swedish colony of New Sweden (settled 1638 in what became Delaware). British colonization of the East Coast began with the Virginia Colony (1607) and the Plymouth Colony (Massachusetts, 1620). The Mayflower Compact in Massachusetts and the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut established precedents for local representative self-governance and constitutionalism that would develop throughout the American colonies. While European settlers in what is now the United States experienced conflicts with Native Americans, they also engaged in trade, exchanging European tools for food and animal pelts.[o] Relations ranged from close cooperation to warfare and massacres. The colonial authorities often pursued policies that forced Native Americans to adopt European lifestyles, including conversion to Christianity. Along the eastern seaboard, settlers trafficked Africans through the Atlantic slave trade, largely to provide manual labor on plantations. The original Thirteen Colonies[p] that would later found the United States were administered as possessions of the British Empire by Crown-appointed governors, though local governments held elections open to most white male property owners. The colonial population grew rapidly from Maine to Georgia, eclipsing Native American populations; by the 1770s, the natural increase of the population was such that only a small minority of Americans had been born overseas. The colonies' distance from Britain facilitated the entrenchment of self-governance, and the First Great Awakening, a series of Christian revivals, fueled colonial interest in guaranteed religious liberty. Following its victory in the French and Indian War, Britain began to assert greater control over local affairs in the Thirteen Colonies, resulting in growing political resistance. One of the primary grievances of the colonists was the denial of their rights as Englishmen, particularly the right to representation in the British government that taxed them. To demonstrate their dissatisfaction and resolve, the First Continental Congress met in 1774 and passed the Continental Association, a colonial boycott of British goods enforced by local "committees of safety" that proved effective. The British attempt to then disarm the colonists resulted in the 1775 Battles of Lexington and Concord, igniting the American Revolutionary War. At the Second Continental Congress, the colonies appointed George Washington commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, and created a committee that named Thomas Jefferson to draft the Declaration of Independence. Two days after the Second Continental Congress passed the Lee Resolution to create an independent, sovereign nation, the Declaration was adopted on July 4, 1776. The political values of the American Revolution evolved from an armed rebellion demanding reform within an empire to a revolution that created a new social and governing system founded on the defense of liberty and the protection of inalienable natural rights; sovereignty of the people; republicanism over monarchy, aristocracy, and other hereditary political power; civic virtue; and an intolerance of political corruption. The Founding Fathers of the United States, who included Washington, Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison, Thomas Paine, and many others, were inspired by Classical, Renaissance, and Enlightenment philosophies and ideas. Though in practical effect since its drafting in 1777, the Articles of Confederation was ratified in 1781 and formally established a decentralized government that operated until 1789. After the British surrender at the siege of Yorktown in 1781, American sovereignty was internationally recognized by the Treaty of Paris (1783), through which the U.S. gained territory stretching west to the Mississippi River, north to present-day Canada, and south to Spanish Florida. The Northwest Ordinance (1787) established the precedent by which the country's territory would expand with the admission of new states, rather than the expansion of existing states. The U.S. Constitution was drafted at the 1787 Constitutional Convention to overcome the limitations of the Articles. It went into effect in 1789, creating a federal republic governed by three separate branches that together formed a system of checks and balances. George Washington was elected the country's first president under the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights was adopted in 1791 to allay skeptics' concerns about the power of the more centralized government. His resignation as commander-in-chief after the Revolutionary War and his later refusal to run for a third term as the country's first president established a precedent for the supremacy of civil authority in the United States and the peaceful transfer of power. In the late 18th century, American settlers began to expand westward in larger numbers, many with a sense of manifest destiny. The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 from France nearly doubled the territory of the United States. Lingering issues with Britain remained, leading to the War of 1812, which was fought to a draw. Spain ceded Florida and its Gulf Coast territory in 1819. The Missouri Compromise of 1820, which admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, attempted to balance the desire of northern states to prevent the expansion of slavery into new territories with that of southern states to extend it there. Primarily, the compromise prohibited slavery in all other lands of the Louisiana Purchase north of the 36°30′ parallel. As Americans expanded further into territory inhabited by Native Americans, the federal government implemented policies of Indian removal or assimilation. The most significant such legislation was the Indian Removal Act of 1830, a key policy of President Andrew Jackson. It resulted in the Trail of Tears (1830–1850), in which an estimated 60,000 Native Americans living east of the Mississippi River were forcibly removed and displaced to lands far to the west, causing 13,200 to 16,700 deaths along the forced march. Settler expansion as well as this influx of Indigenous peoples from the East resulted in the American Indian Wars west of the Mississippi. During the colonial period, slavery became legal in all the Thirteen colonies, but by 1770 it provided the main labor force in the large-scale, agriculture-dependent economies of the Southern Colonies from Maryland to Georgia. The practice began to be significantly questioned during the American Revolution, and spurred by an active abolitionist movement that had reemerged in the 1830s, states in the North enacted laws to prohibit slavery within their boundaries. At the same time, support for slavery had strengthened in Southern states, with widespread use of inventions such as the cotton gin (1793) having made slavery immensely profitable for Southern elites. The United States annexed the Republic of Texas in 1845, and the 1846 Oregon Treaty led to U.S. control of the present-day American Northwest. Dispute with Mexico over Texas led to the Mexican–American War (1846–1848). After the victory of the U.S., Mexico recognized U.S. sovereignty over Texas, New Mexico, and California in the 1848 Mexican Cession; the cession's lands also included the future states of Nevada, Colorado and Utah. The California gold rush of 1848–1849 spurred a huge migration of white settlers to the Pacific coast, leading to even more confrontations with Native populations. One of the most violent, the California genocide of thousands of Native inhabitants, lasted into the mid-1870s. Additional western territories and states were created. Throughout the 1850s, the sectional conflict regarding slavery was further inflamed by national legislation in the U.S. Congress and decisions of the Supreme Court. In Congress, the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 mandated the forcible return to their owners in the South of slaves taking refuge in non-slave states, while the Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854 effectively gutted the anti-slavery requirements of the Missouri Compromise. In its Dred Scott decision of 1857, the Supreme Court ruled against a slave brought into non-slave territory, simultaneously declaring the entire Missouri Compromise to be unconstitutional. These and other events exacerbated tensions between North and South that would culminate in the American Civil War (1861–1865). Beginning with South Carolina, 11 slave-state governments voted to secede from the United States in 1861, joining to create the Confederate States of America. All other state governments remained loyal to the Union.[q] War broke out in April 1861 after the Confederacy bombarded Fort Sumter. Following the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, many freed slaves joined the Union army. The war began to turn in the Union's favor following the 1863 Siege of Vicksburg and Battle of Gettysburg, and the Confederates surrendered in 1865 after the Union's victory in the Battle of Appomattox Court House. Efforts toward reconstruction in the secessionist South had begun as early as 1862, but it was only after President Lincoln's assassination that the three Reconstruction Amendments to the Constitution were ratified to protect civil rights. The amendments codified nationally the abolition of slavery and involuntary servitude except as punishment for crimes, promised equal protection under the law for all persons, and prohibited discrimination on the basis of race or previous enslavement. As a result, African Americans took an active political role in ex-Confederate states in the decade following the Civil War. The former Confederate states were readmitted to the Union, beginning with Tennessee in 1866 and ending with Georgia in 1870. National infrastructure, including transcontinental telegraph and railroads, spurred growth in the American frontier. This was accelerated by the Homestead Acts, through which nearly 10 percent of the total land area of the United States was given away free to some 1.6 million homesteaders. From 1865 through 1917, an unprecedented stream of immigrants arrived in the United States, including 24.4 million from Europe. Most came through the Port of New York, as New York City and other large cities on the East Coast became home to large Jewish, Irish, and Italian populations. Many Northern Europeans as well as significant numbers of Germans and other Central Europeans moved to the Midwest. At the same time, about one million French Canadians migrated from Quebec to New England. During the Great Migration, millions of African Americans left the rural South for urban areas in the North. Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867. The Compromise of 1877 is generally considered the end of the Reconstruction era, as it resolved the electoral crisis following the 1876 presidential election and led President Rutherford B. Hayes to reduce the role of federal troops in the South. Immediately, the Redeemers began evicting the Carpetbaggers and quickly regained local control of Southern politics in the name of white supremacy. African Americans endured a period of heightened, overt racism following Reconstruction, a time often considered the nadir of American race relations. A series of Supreme Court decisions, including Plessy v. Ferguson, emptied the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments of their force, allowing Jim Crow laws in the South to remain unchecked, sundown towns in the Midwest, and segregation in communities across the country, which would be reinforced in part by the policy of redlining later adopted by the federal Home Owners' Loan Corporation. An explosion of technological advancement, accompanied by the exploitation of cheap immigrant labor, led to rapid economic expansion during the Gilded Age of the late 19th century. It continued into the early 20th, when the United States already outpaced the economies of Britain, France, and Germany combined. This fostered the amassing of power by a few prominent industrialists, largely by their formation of trusts and monopolies to prevent competition. Tycoons led the nation's expansion in the railroad, petroleum, and steel industries. The United States emerged as a pioneer of the automotive industry. These changes resulted in significant increases in economic inequality, slum conditions, and social unrest, creating the environment for labor unions and socialist movements to begin to flourish. This period eventually ended with the advent of the Progressive Era, which was characterized by significant economic and social reforms. Pro-American elements in Hawaii overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy; the islands were annexed in 1898. That same year, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam were ceded to the U.S. by Spain after the latter's defeat in the Spanish–American War. (The Philippines was granted full independence from the U.S. on July 4, 1946, following World War II. Puerto Rico and Guam have remained U.S. territories.) American Samoa was acquired by the United States in 1900 after the Second Samoan Civil War. The U.S. Virgin Islands were purchased from Denmark in 1917. The United States entered World War I alongside the Allies in 1917 helping to turn the tide against the Central Powers. In 1920, a constitutional amendment granted nationwide women's suffrage. During the 1920s and 1930s, radio for mass communication and early television transformed communications nationwide. The Wall Street Crash of 1929 triggered the Great Depression, to which President Franklin D. Roosevelt responded with the New Deal plan of "reform, recovery and relief", a series of unprecedented and sweeping recovery programs and employment relief projects combined with financial reforms and regulations. Initially neutral during World War II, the U.S. began supplying war materiel to the Allies of World War II in March 1941 and entered the war in December after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. Agreeing to a "Europe first" policy, the U.S. concentrated its wartime efforts on Japan's allies Italy and Germany until their final defeat in May 1945. The U.S. developed the first nuclear weapons and used them against the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, ending the war. The United States was one of the "Four Policemen" who met to plan the post-war world, alongside the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and China. The U.S. emerged relatively unscathed from the war, with even greater economic power and international political influence. The end of World War II in 1945 left the U.S. and the Soviet Union as superpowers, each with its own political, military, and economic sphere of influence. Geopolitical tensions between the two superpowers soon led to the Cold War. The U.S. implemented a policy of containment intended to limit the Soviet Union's sphere of influence; engaged in regime change against governments perceived to be aligned with the Soviets; and prevailed in the Space Race, which culminated with the first crewed Moon landing in 1969. Domestically, the U.S. experienced economic growth, urbanization, and population growth following World War II. The civil rights movement emerged, with Martin Luther King Jr. becoming a prominent leader in the early 1960s. The Great Society plan of President Lyndon B. Johnson's administration resulted in groundbreaking and broad-reaching laws, policies and a constitutional amendment to counteract some of the worst effects of lingering institutional racism. The counterculture movement in the U.S. brought significant social changes, including the liberalization of attitudes toward recreational drug use and sexuality. It also encouraged open defiance of the military draft (leading to the end of conscription in 1973) and wide opposition to U.S. intervention in Vietnam, with the U.S. totally withdrawing in 1975. A societal shift in the roles of women was significantly responsible for the large increase in female paid labor participation starting in the 1970s, and by 1985 the majority of American women aged 16 and older were employed. The Fall of Communism and the dissolution of the Soviet Union from 1989 to 1991 marked the end of the Cold War and left the United States as the world's sole superpower. This cemented the United States' global influence, reinforcing the concept of the "American Century" as the U.S. dominated international political, cultural, economic, and military affairs. The 1990s saw the longest recorded economic expansion in American history, a dramatic decline in U.S. crime rates, and advances in technology. Throughout this decade, technological innovations such as the World Wide Web, the evolution of the Pentium microprocessor in accordance with Moore's law, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, the first gene therapy trial, and cloning either emerged in the U.S. or were improved upon there. The Human Genome Project was formally launched in 1990, while Nasdaq became the first stock market in the United States to trade online in 1998. In the Gulf War of 1991, an American-led international coalition of states expelled an Iraqi invasion force that had occupied neighboring Kuwait. The September 11 attacks on the United States in 2001 by the pan-Islamist militant organization al-Qaeda led to the war on terror and subsequent military interventions in Afghanistan and in Iraq. The U.S. housing bubble culminated in 2007 with the Great Recession, the largest economic contraction since the Great Depression. In the 2010s and early 2020s, the United States has experienced increased political polarization and democratic backsliding. The country's polarization was violently reflected in the January 2021 Capitol attack, when a mob of insurrectionists entered the U.S. Capitol and sought to prevent the peaceful transfer of power in an attempted self-coup d'état. Geography The United States is the world's third-largest country by total area behind Russia and Canada.[c] The 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia have a combined area of 3,119,885 square miles (8,080,470 km2). In 2021, the United States had 8% of the Earth's permanent meadows and pastures and 10% of its cropland. Starting in the east, the coastal plain of the Atlantic seaboard gives way to inland forests and rolling hills in the Piedmont plateau region. The Appalachian Mountains and the Adirondack Massif separate the East Coast from the Great Lakes and the grasslands of the Midwest. The Mississippi River System, the world's fourth-longest river system, runs predominantly north–south through the center of the country. The flat and fertile prairie of the Great Plains stretches to the west, interrupted by a highland region in the southeast. The Rocky Mountains, west of the Great Plains, extend north to south across the country, peaking at over 14,000 feet (4,300 m) in Colorado. The supervolcano underlying Yellowstone National Park in the Rocky Mountains, the Yellowstone Caldera, is the continent's largest volcanic feature. Farther west are the rocky Great Basin and the Chihuahuan, Sonoran, and Mojave deserts. In the northwest corner of Arizona, carved by the Colorado River, is the Grand Canyon, a steep-sided canyon and popular tourist destination known for its overwhelming visual size and intricate, colorful landscape. The Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges run close to the Pacific coast. The lowest and highest points in the contiguous United States are in the State of California, about 84 miles (135 km) apart. At an elevation of 20,310 feet (6,190.5 m), Alaska's Denali (also called Mount McKinley) is the highest peak in the country and on the continent. Active volcanoes in the U.S. are common throughout Alaska's Alexander and Aleutian Islands. Located entirely outside North America, the archipelago of Hawaii consists of volcanic islands, physiographically and ethnologically part of the Polynesian subregion of Oceania. In addition to its total land area, the United States has one of the world's largest marine exclusive economic zones spanning approximately 4.5 million square miles (11.7 million km2) of ocean. With its large size and geographic variety, the United States includes most climate types. East of the 100th meridian, the climate ranges from humid continental in the north to humid subtropical in the south. The western Great Plains are semi-arid. Many mountainous areas of the American West have an alpine climate. The climate is arid in the Southwest, Mediterranean in coastal California, and oceanic in coastal Oregon, Washington, and southern Alaska. Most of Alaska is subarctic or polar. Hawaii, the southern tip of Florida and U.S. territories in the Caribbean and Pacific are tropical. The United States receives more high-impact extreme weather incidents than any other country. States bordering the Gulf of Mexico are prone to hurricanes, and most of the world's tornadoes occur in the country, mainly in Tornado Alley. Due to climate change in the country, extreme weather has become more frequent in the U.S. in the 21st century, with three times the number of reported heat waves compared to the 1960s. Since the 1990s, droughts in the American Southwest have become more persistent and more severe. The regions considered as the most attractive to the population are the most vulnerable. The U.S. is one of 17 megadiverse countries containing large numbers of endemic species: about 17,000 species of vascular plants occur in the contiguous United States and Alaska, and over 1,800 species of flowering plants are found in Hawaii, few of which occur on the mainland. The United States is home to 428 mammal species, 784 birds, 311 reptiles, 295 amphibians, and around 91,000 insect species. There are 63 national parks, and hundreds of other federally managed monuments, forests, and wilderness areas, administered by the National Park Service and other agencies. About 28% of the country's land is publicly owned and federally managed, primarily in the Western States. Most of this land is protected, though some is leased for commercial use, and less than one percent is used for military purposes. Environmental issues in the United States include debates on non-renewable resources and nuclear energy, air and water pollution, biodiversity, logging and deforestation, and climate change. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the federal agency charged with addressing most environmental-related issues. The idea of wilderness has shaped the management of public lands since 1964, with the Wilderness Act. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 provides a way to protect threatened and endangered species and their habitats. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service implements and enforces the Act. In 2024, the U.S. ranked 35th among 180 countries in the Environmental Performance Index. Government and politics The United States is a federal republic of 50 states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The U.S. asserts sovereignty over five unincorporated territories and several uninhabited island possessions. It is the world's oldest surviving federation, and its presidential system of federal government has been adopted, in whole or in part, by many newly independent states worldwide following their decolonization. The Constitution of the United States serves as the country's supreme legal document. Most scholars describe the United States as a liberal democracy.[r] Composed of three branches, all headquartered in Washington, D.C., the federal government is the national government of the United States. The U.S. Constitution establishes a separation of powers intended to provide a system of checks and balances to prevent any of the three branches from becoming supreme. The three-branch system is known as the presidential system, in contrast to the parliamentary system where the executive is part of the legislative body. Many countries around the world adopted this aspect of the 1789 Constitution of the United States, especially in the postcolonial Americas. In the U.S. federal system, sovereign powers are shared between three levels of government specified in the Constitution: the federal government, the states, and Indian tribes. The U.S. also asserts sovereignty over five permanently inhabited territories: American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Residents of the 50 states are governed by their elected state government, under state constitutions compatible with the national constitution, and by elected local governments that are administrative divisions of a state. States are subdivided into counties or county equivalents, and (except for Hawaii) further divided into municipalities, each administered by elected representatives. The District of Columbia is a federal district containing the U.S. capital, Washington, D.C. The federal district is an administrative division of the federal government. Indian country is made up of 574 federally recognized tribes and 326 Indian reservations. They hold a government-to-government relationship with the U.S. federal government in Washington and are legally defined as domestic dependent nations with inherent tribal sovereignty rights. In addition to the five major territories, the U.S. also asserts sovereignty over the United States Minor Outlying Islands in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean. The seven undisputed islands without permanent populations are Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Atoll, and Palmyra Atoll. U.S. sovereignty over the unpopulated Bajo Nuevo Bank, Navassa Island, Serranilla Bank, and Wake Island is disputed. The Constitution is silent on political parties. However, they developed independently in the 18th century with the Federalist and Anti-Federalist parties. Since then, the United States has operated as a de facto two-party system, though the parties have changed over time. Since the mid-19th century, the two main national parties have been the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. The former is perceived as relatively liberal in its political platform while the latter is perceived as relatively conservative in its platform. The United States has an established structure of foreign relations, with the world's second-largest diplomatic corps as of 2024[update]. It is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and home to the United Nations headquarters. The United States is a member of the G7, G20, and OECD intergovernmental organizations. Almost all countries have embassies and many have consulates (official representatives) in the country. Likewise, nearly all countries host formal diplomatic missions with the United States, except Iran, North Korea, and Bhutan. Though Taiwan does not have formal diplomatic relations with the U.S., it maintains close unofficial relations. The United States regularly supplies Taiwan with military equipment to deter potential Chinese aggression. Its geopolitical attention also turned to the Indo-Pacific when the United States joined the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue with Australia, India, and Japan. The United States has a "Special Relationship" with the United Kingdom and strong ties with Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Israel, and several European Union countries such as France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Poland. The U.S. works closely with its NATO allies on military and national security issues, and with countries in the Americas through the Organization of American States and the United States–Mexico–Canada Free Trade Agreement. The U.S. exercises full international defense authority and responsibility for Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau through the Compact of Free Association. It has increasingly conducted strategic cooperation with India, while its ties with China have steadily deteriorated. Beginning in 2014, the U.S. had become a key ally of Ukraine. After Donald Trump was elected U.S. president in 2024, he sought to negotiate an end to the Russo-Ukrainian War. He paused all military aid to Ukraine in March 2025, although the aid resumed later. Trump also ended U.S. intelligence sharing with the country, but this too was eventually restored. The president is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces and appoints its leaders, the secretary of defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Department of Defense, headquartered at the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., administers five of the six service branches, which are made up of the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force. The Coast Guard is administered by the Department of Homeland Security in peacetime and can be transferred to the Department of the Navy in wartime. Total strength of the entire military is about 1.3 million active duty with an additional 400,000 in reserve. The United States spent $997 billion on its military in 2024, which is by far the largest amount of any country, making up 37% of global military spending and accounting for 3.4% of the country's GDP. The U.S. possesses 42% of the world's nuclear weapons—the second-largest stockpile after that of Russia. The U.S. military is widely regarded as the most powerful and advanced in the world. The United States has the third-largest combined armed forces in the world, behind the Chinese People's Liberation Army and Indian Armed Forces. The U.S. military operates about 800 bases and facilities abroad, and maintains deployments greater than 100 active duty personnel in 25 foreign countries. The United States has engaged in over 400 military interventions since its founding in 1776, with over half of these occurring between 1950 and 2019 and 25% occurring in the post-Cold War era. State defense forces (SDFs) are military units that operate under the sole authority of a state government. SDFs are authorized by state and federal law but are under the command of the state's governor. By contrast, the 54 U.S. National Guard organizations[t] fall under the dual control of state or territorial governments and the federal government; their units can also become federalized entities, but SDFs cannot be federalized. The National Guard personnel of a state or territory can be federalized by the president under the National Defense Act Amendments of 1933; this legislation created the Guard and provides for the integration of Army National Guard and Air National Guard units and personnel into the U.S. Army and (since 1947) the U.S. Air Force. The total number of National Guard members is about 430,000, while the estimated combined strength of SDFs is less than 10,000. There are about 18,000 U.S. police agencies from local to national level in the United States. Law in the United States is mainly enforced by local police departments and sheriff departments in their municipal or county jurisdictions. The state police departments have authority in their respective state, and federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Marshals Service have national jurisdiction and specialized duties, such as protecting civil rights, national security, enforcing U.S. federal courts' rulings and federal laws, and interstate criminal activity. State courts conduct almost all civil and criminal trials, while federal courts adjudicate the much smaller number of civil and criminal cases that relate to federal law. There is no unified "criminal justice system" in the United States. The American prison system is largely heterogenous, with thousands of relatively independent systems operating across federal, state, local, and tribal levels. In 2025, "these systems hold nearly 2 million people in 1,566 state prisons, 98 federal prisons, 3,116 local jails, 1,277 juvenile correctional facilities, 133 immigration detention facilities, and 80 Indian country jails, as well as in military prisons, civil commitment centers, state psychiatric hospitals, and prisons in the U.S. territories." Despite disparate systems of confinement, four main institutions dominate: federal prisons, state prisons, local jails, and juvenile correctional facilities. Federal prisons are run by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and hold pretrial detainees as well as people who have been convicted of federal crimes. State prisons, run by the department of corrections of each state, hold people sentenced and serving prison time (usually longer than one year) for felony offenses. Local jails are county or municipal facilities that incarcerate defendants prior to trial; they also hold those serving short sentences (typically under a year). Juvenile correctional facilities are operated by local or state governments and serve as longer-term placements for any minor adjudicated as delinquent and ordered by a judge to be confined. In January 2023, the United States had the sixth-highest per capita incarceration rate in the world—531 people per 100,000 inhabitants—and the largest prison and jail population in the world, with more than 1.9 million people incarcerated. An analysis of the World Health Organization Mortality Database from 2010 showed U.S. homicide rates "were 7 times higher than in other high-income countries, driven by a gun homicide rate that was 25 times higher". Economy The U.S. has a highly developed mixed economy that has been the world's largest nominally since about 1890. Its 2024 gross domestic product (GDP)[e] of more than $29 trillion constituted over 25% of nominal global economic output, or 15% at purchasing power parity (PPP). From 1983 to 2008, U.S. real compounded annual GDP growth was 3.3%, compared to a 2.3% weighted average for the rest of the G7. The country ranks first in the world by nominal GDP, second when adjusted for purchasing power parities (PPP), and ninth by PPP-adjusted GDP per capita. In February 2024, the total U.S. federal government debt was $34.4 trillion. Of the world's 500 largest companies by revenue, 138 were headquartered in the U.S. in 2025, the highest number of any country. The U.S. dollar is the currency most used in international transactions and the world's foremost reserve currency, backed by the country's dominant economy, its military, the petrodollar system, its large U.S. treasuries market, and its linked eurodollar. Several countries use it as their official currency, and in others it is the de facto currency. The U.S. has free trade agreements with several countries, including the USMCA. Although the United States has reached a post-industrial level of economic development and is often described as having a service economy, it remains a major industrial power; in 2024, the U.S. manufacturing sector was the world's second-largest by value output after China's. New York City is the world's principal financial center, and its metropolitan area is the world's largest metropolitan economy. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, both located in New York City, are the world's two largest stock exchanges by market capitalization and trade volume. The United States is at the forefront of technological advancement and innovation in many economic fields, especially in artificial intelligence; electronics and computers; pharmaceuticals; and medical, aerospace and military equipment. The country's economy is fueled by abundant natural resources, a well-developed infrastructure, and high productivity. The largest trading partners of the United States are the European Union, Mexico, Canada, China, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, India, and Taiwan. The United States is the world's largest importer and second-largest exporter.[u] It is by far the world's largest exporter of services. Americans have the highest average household and employee income among OECD member states, and the fourth-highest median household income in 2023, up from sixth-highest in 2013. With personal consumption expenditures of over $18.5 trillion in 2023, the U.S. has a heavily consumer-driven economy and is the world's largest consumer market. The U.S. ranked first in the number of dollar billionaires and millionaires in 2023, with 735 billionaires and nearly 22 million millionaires. Wealth in the United States is highly concentrated; in 2011, the richest 10% of the adult population owned 72% of the country's household wealth, while the bottom 50% owned just 2%. U.S. wealth inequality increased substantially since the late 1980s, and income inequality in the U.S. reached a record high in 2019. In 2024, the country had some of the highest wealth and income inequality levels among OECD countries. Since the 1970s, there has been a decoupling of U.S. wage gains from worker productivity. In 2016, the top fifth of earners took home more than half of all income, giving the U.S. one of the widest income distributions among OECD countries. There were about 771,480 homeless persons in the U.S. in 2024. In 2022, 6.4 million children experienced food insecurity. Feeding America estimates that around one in five, or approximately 13 million, children experience hunger in the U.S. and do not know where or when they will get their next meal. Also in 2022, about 37.9 million people, or 11.5% of the U.S. population, were living in poverty. The United States has a smaller welfare state and redistributes less income through government action than most other high-income countries. It is the only advanced economy that does not guarantee its workers paid vacation nationally and one of a few countries in the world without federal paid family leave as a legal right. The United States has a higher percentage of low-income workers than almost any other developed country, largely because of a weak collective bargaining system and lack of government support for at-risk workers. The United States has been a leader in technological innovation since the late 19th century and scientific research since the mid-20th century. Methods for producing interchangeable parts and the establishment of a machine tool industry enabled the large-scale manufacturing of U.S. consumer products in the late 19th century. By the early 20th century, factory electrification, the introduction of the assembly line, and other labor-saving techniques created the system of mass production. In the 21st century, the United States continues to be one of the world's foremost scientific powers, though China has emerged as a major competitor in many fields. The U.S. has the highest research and development expenditures of any country and ranks ninth as a percentage of GDP. In 2022, the United States was (after China) the country with the second-highest number of published scientific papers. In 2021, the U.S. ranked second (also after China) by the number of patent applications, and third by trademark and industrial design applications (after China and Germany), according to World Intellectual Property Indicators. In 2025 the United States ranked third (after Switzerland and Sweden) in the Global Innovation Index. The United States is considered to be a world leader in the development of artificial intelligence technology. In 2023, the United States was ranked the second most technologically advanced country in the world (after South Korea) by Global Finance magazine. The United States has maintained a space program since the late 1950s, beginning with the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1958. NASA's Apollo program (1961–1972) achieved the first crewed Moon landing with the 1969 Apollo 11 mission; it remains one of the agency's most significant milestones. Other major endeavors by NASA include the Space Shuttle program (1981–2011), the Voyager program (1972–present), the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes (launched in 1990 and 2021, respectively), and the multi-mission Mars Exploration Program (Spirit and Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance). NASA is one of five agencies collaborating on the International Space Station (ISS); U.S. contributions to the ISS include several modules, including Destiny (2001), Harmony (2007), and Tranquility (2010), as well as ongoing logistical and operational support. The United States private sector dominates the global commercial spaceflight industry. Prominent American spaceflight contractors include Blue Origin, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and SpaceX. NASA programs such as the Commercial Crew Program, Commercial Resupply Services, Commercial Lunar Payload Services, and NextSTEP have facilitated growing private-sector involvement in American spaceflight. In 2023, the United States received approximately 84% of its energy from fossil fuel, and its largest source of energy was petroleum (38%), followed by natural gas (36%), renewable sources (9%), coal (9%), and nuclear power (9%). In 2022, the United States constituted about 4% of the world's population, but consumed around 16% of the world's energy. The U.S. ranks as the second-highest emitter of greenhouse gases behind China. The U.S. is the world's largest producer of nuclear power, generating around 30% of the world's nuclear electricity. It also has the highest number of nuclear power reactors of any country. From 2024, the U.S. plans to triple its nuclear power capacity by 2050. The United States' 4 million miles (6.4 million kilometers) of road network, owned almost entirely by state and local governments, is the longest in the world. The extensive Interstate Highway System that connects all major U.S. cities is funded mostly by the federal government but maintained by state departments of transportation. The system is further extended by state highways and some private toll roads. The U.S. is among the top ten countries with the highest vehicle ownership per capita (850 vehicles per 1,000 people) in 2022. A 2022 study found that 76% of U.S. commuters drive alone and 14% ride a bicycle, including bike owners and users of bike-sharing networks. About 11% use some form of public transportation. Public transportation in the United States is well developed in the largest urban areas, notably New York City, Washington, D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Francisco; otherwise, coverage is generally less extensive than in most other developed countries. The U.S. also has many relatively car-dependent localities. Long-distance intercity travel is provided primarily by airlines, but travel by rail is more common along the Northeast Corridor, the only high-speed rail in the U.S. that meets international standards. Amtrak, the country's government-sponsored national passenger rail company, has a relatively sparse network compared to that of Western European countries. Service is concentrated in the Northeast, California, the Midwest, the Pacific Northwest, and Virginia/Southeast. The United States has an extensive air transportation network. U.S. civilian airlines are all privately owned. The three largest airlines in the world, by total number of passengers carried, are U.S.-based; American Airlines became the global leader after its 2013 merger with US Airways. Of the 50 busiest airports in the world, 16 are in the United States, as well as five of the top 10. The world's busiest airport by passenger volume is Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2022, most of the 19,969 U.S. airports were owned and operated by local government authorities, and there are also some private airports. Some 5,193 are designated as "public use", including for general aviation. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has provided security at most major airports since 2001. The country's rail transport network, the longest in the world at 182,412.3 mi (293,564.2 km), handles mostly freight (in contrast to more passenger-centered rail in Europe). Because they are often privately owned operations, U.S. railroads lag behind those of the rest of the world in terms of electrification. The country's inland waterways are the world's fifth-longest, totaling 25,482 mi (41,009 km). They are used extensively for freight, recreation, and a small amount of passenger traffic. Of the world's 50 busiest container ports, four are located in the United States, with the busiest in the country being the Port of Los Angeles. Demographics The U.S. Census Bureau reported 331,449,281 residents on April 1, 2020,[v] making the United States the third-most-populous country in the world, after India and China. The Census Bureau's official 2025 population estimate was 341,784,857, an increase of 3.1% since the 2020 census. According to the Bureau's U.S. Population Clock, on July 1, 2024, the U.S. population had a net gain of one person every 16 seconds, or about 5400 people per day. In 2023, 51% of Americans age 15 and over were married, 6% were widowed, 10% were divorced, and 34% had never been married. In 2023, the total fertility rate for the U.S. stood at 1.6 children per woman, and, at 23%, it had the world's highest rate of children living in single-parent households in 2019. Most Americans live in the suburbs of major metropolitan areas. The United States has a diverse population; 37 ancestry groups have more than one million members. White Americans with ancestry from Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa form the largest racial and ethnic group at 57.8% of the United States population. Hispanic and Latino Americans form the second-largest group and are 18.7% of the United States population. African Americans constitute the country's third-largest ancestry group and are 12.1% of the total U.S. population. Asian Americans are the country's fourth-largest group, composing 5.9% of the United States population. The country's 3.7 million Native Americans account for about 1%, and some 574 native tribes are recognized by the federal government. In 2024, the median age of the United States population was 39.1 years. While many languages and dialects are spoken in the United States, English is by far the most commonly spoken and written. De facto, English is the official language of the United States, and in 2025, Executive Order 14224 declared English official. However, the U.S. has never had a de jure official language, as Congress has never passed a law to designate English as official for all three federal branches. Some laws, such as U.S. naturalization requirements, nonetheless standardize English. Twenty-eight states and the United States Virgin Islands have laws that designate English as the sole official language; 19 states and the District of Columbia have no official language. Three states and four U.S. territories have recognized local or indigenous languages in addition to English: Hawaii (Hawaiian), Alaska (twenty Native languages),[w] South Dakota (Sioux), American Samoa (Samoan), Puerto Rico (Spanish), Guam (Chamorro), and the Northern Mariana Islands (Carolinian and Chamorro). In total, 169 Native American languages are spoken in the United States. In Puerto Rico, Spanish is more widely spoken than English. According to the American Community Survey (2020), some 245.4 million people in the U.S. age five and older spoke only English at home. About 41.2 million spoke Spanish at home, making it the second most commonly used language. Other languages spoken at home by one million people or more include Chinese (3.40 million), Tagalog (1.71 million), Vietnamese (1.52 million), Arabic (1.39 million), French (1.18 million), Korean (1.07 million), and Russian (1.04 million). German, spoken by 1 million people at home in 2010, fell to 857,000 total speakers in 2020. America's immigrant population is by far the world's largest in absolute terms. In 2022, there were 87.7 million immigrants and U.S.-born children of immigrants in the United States, accounting for nearly 27% of the overall U.S. population. In 2017, out of the U.S. foreign-born population, some 45% (20.7 million) were naturalized citizens, 27% (12.3 million) were lawful permanent residents, 6% (2.2 million) were temporary lawful residents, and 23% (10.5 million) were unauthorized immigrants. In 2019, the top countries of origin for immigrants were Mexico (24% of immigrants), India (6%), China (5%), the Philippines (4.5%), and El Salvador (3%). In fiscal year 2022, over one million immigrants (most of whom entered through family reunification) were granted legal residence. The undocumented immigrant population in the U.S. reached a record high of 14 million in 2023. The First Amendment guarantees the free exercise of religion in the country and forbids Congress from passing laws respecting its establishment. Religious practice is widespread, among the most diverse in the world, and profoundly vibrant. The country has the world's largest Christian population, which includes the fourth-largest population of Catholics. Other notable faiths include Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, New Age, and Native American religions. Religious practice varies significantly by region. "Ceremonial deism" is common in American culture. The overwhelming majority of Americans believe in a higher power or spiritual force, engage in spiritual practices such as prayer, and consider themselves religious or spiritual. In the Southern United States' "Bible Belt", evangelical Protestantism plays a significant role culturally; New England and the Western United States tend to be more secular. Mormonism, a Restorationist movement founded in the U.S. in 1847, is the predominant religion in Utah and a major religion in Idaho. About 82% of Americans live in metropolitan areas, particularly in suburbs; about half of those reside in cities with populations over 50,000. In 2022, 333 incorporated municipalities had populations over 100,000, nine cities had more than one million residents, and four cities—New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston—had populations exceeding two million. Many U.S. metropolitan populations are growing rapidly, particularly in the South and West. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), average U.S. life expectancy at birth reached 79.0 years in 2024, its highest recorded level. This was an increase of 0.6 years over 2023. The CDC attributed the improvement to a significant fall in the number of fatal drug overdoses in the country, noting that "heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States, followed by cancer and unintentional injuries." In 2024, life expectancy at birth for American men rose to 76.5 years (+0.7 years compared to 2023), while life expectancy for women was 81.4 years (+0.3 years). Starting in 1998, life expectancy in the U.S. fell behind that of other wealthy industrialized countries, and Americans' "health disadvantage" gap has been increasing ever since. The Commonwealth Fund reported in 2020 that the U.S. had the highest suicide rate among high-income countries. Approximately one-third of the U.S. adult population is obese and another third is overweight. The U.S. healthcare system far outspends that of any other country, measured both in per capita spending and as a percentage of GDP, but attains worse healthcare outcomes when compared to peer countries for reasons that are debated. The United States is the only developed country without a system of universal healthcare, and a significant proportion of the population that does not carry health insurance. Government-funded healthcare coverage for the poor (Medicaid) and for those age 65 and older (Medicare) is available to Americans who meet the programs' income or age qualifications. In 2010, then-President Obama passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.[x] Abortion in the United States is not federally protected, and is illegal or restricted in 17 states. American primary and secondary education, known in the U.S. as K–12 ("kindergarten through 12th grade"), is decentralized. School systems are operated by state, territorial, and sometimes municipal governments and regulated by the U.S. Department of Education. In general, children are required to attend school or an approved homeschool from the age of five or six (kindergarten or first grade) until they are 18 years old. This often brings students through the 12th grade, the final year of a U.S. high school, but some states and territories allow them to leave school earlier, at age 16 or 17. The U.S. spends more on education per student than any other country, an average of $18,614 per year per public elementary and secondary school student in 2020–2021. Among Americans age 25 and older, 92.2% graduated from high school, 62.7% attended some college, 37.7% earned a bachelor's degree, and 14.2% earned a graduate degree. The U.S. literacy rate is near-universal. The U.S. has produced the most Nobel Prize winners of any country, with 411 (having won 413 awards). U.S. tertiary or higher education has earned a global reputation. Many of the world's top universities, as listed by various ranking organizations, are in the United States, including 19 of the top 25. American higher education is dominated by state university systems, although the country's many private universities and colleges enroll about 20% of all American students. Local community colleges generally offer open admissions, lower tuition, and coursework leading to a two-year associate degree or a non-degree certificate. As for public expenditures on higher education, the U.S. spends more per student than the OECD average, and Americans spend more than all nations in combined public and private spending. Colleges and universities directly funded by the federal government do not charge tuition and are limited to military personnel and government employees, including: the U.S. service academies, the Naval Postgraduate School, and military staff colleges. Despite some student loan forgiveness programs in place, student loan debt increased by 102% between 2010 and 2020, and exceeded $1.7 trillion in 2022. Culture and society The United States is home to a wide variety of ethnic groups, traditions, and customs. The country has been described as having the values of individualism and personal autonomy, as well as a strong work ethic and competitiveness. Voluntary altruism towards others also plays a major role; according to a 2016 study by the Charities Aid Foundation, Americans donated 1.44% of total GDP to charity—the highest rate in the world by a large margin. Americans have traditionally been characterized by a unifying political belief in an "American Creed" emphasizing consent of the governed, liberty, equality under the law, democracy, social equality, property rights, and a preference for limited government. The U.S. has acquired significant hard and soft power through its diplomatic influence, economic power, military alliances, and cultural exports such as American movies, music, video games, sports, and food. The influence that the United States exerts on other countries through soft power is referred to as Americanization. Nearly all present Americans or their ancestors came from Europe, Africa, or Asia (the "Old World") within the past five centuries. Mainstream American culture is a Western culture largely derived from the traditions of European immigrants with influences from many other sources, such as traditions brought by slaves from Africa. More recent immigration from Asia and especially Latin America has added to a cultural mix that has been described as a homogenizing melting pot, and a heterogeneous salad bowl, with immigrants contributing to, and often assimilating into, mainstream American culture. Under the First Amendment to the Constitution, the United States is considered to have the strongest protections of free speech of any country. Flag desecration, hate speech, blasphemy, and lese majesty are all forms of protected expression. A 2016 Pew Research Center poll found that Americans were the most supportive of free expression of any polity measured. Additionally, they are the "most supportive of freedom of the press and the right to use the Internet without government censorship". The U.S. is a socially progressive country with permissive attitudes surrounding human sexuality. LGBTQ rights in the United States are among the most advanced by global standards. The American Dream, or the perception that Americans enjoy high levels of social mobility, plays a key role in attracting immigrants. Whether this perception is accurate has been a topic of debate. While mainstream culture holds that the United States is a classless society, scholars identify significant differences between the country's social classes, affecting socialization, language, and values. Americans tend to greatly value socioeconomic achievement, but being ordinary or average is promoted by some as a noble condition as well. The National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities is an agency of the United States federal government that was established in 1965 with the purpose to "develop and promote a broadly conceived national policy of support for the humanities and the arts in the United States, and for institutions which preserve the cultural heritage of the United States." It is composed of four sub-agencies: Colonial American authors were influenced by John Locke and other Enlightenment philosophers. The American Revolutionary Period (1765–1783) is notable for the political writings of Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Paine, and Thomas Jefferson. Shortly before and after the Revolutionary War, the newspaper rose to prominence, filling a demand for anti-British national literature. An early novel is William Hill Brown's The Power of Sympathy, published in 1791. Writer and critic John Neal in the early- to mid-19th century helped advance America toward a unique literature and culture by criticizing predecessors such as Washington Irving for imitating their British counterparts, and by influencing writers such as Edgar Allan Poe, who took American poetry and short fiction in new directions. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Margaret Fuller pioneered the influential Transcendentalism movement; Henry David Thoreau, author of Walden, was influenced by this movement. The conflict surrounding abolitionism inspired writers, like Harriet Beecher Stowe, and authors of slave narratives, such as Frederick Douglass. Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter (1850) explored the dark side of American history, as did Herman Melville's Moby-Dick (1851). Major American poets of the 19th century American Renaissance include Walt Whitman, Melville, and Emily Dickinson. Mark Twain was the first major American writer to be born in the West. Henry James achieved international recognition with novels like The Portrait of a Lady (1881). As literacy rates rose, periodicals published more stories centered around industrial workers, women, and the rural poor. Naturalism, regionalism, and realism were the major literary movements of the period. While modernism generally took on an international character, modernist authors working within the United States more often rooted their work in specific regions, peoples, and cultures. Following the Great Migration to northern cities, African-American and black West Indian authors of the Harlem Renaissance developed an independent tradition of literature that rebuked a history of inequality and celebrated black culture. An important cultural export during the Jazz Age, these writings were a key influence on Négritude, a philosophy emerging in the 1930s among francophone writers of the African diaspora. In the 1950s, an ideal of homogeneity led many authors to attempt to write the Great American Novel, while the Beat Generation rejected this conformity, using styles that elevated the impact of the spoken word over mechanics to describe drug use, sexuality, and the failings of society. Contemporary literature is more pluralistic than in previous eras, with the closest thing to a unifying feature being a trend toward self-conscious experiments with language. Twelve American laureates have won the Nobel Prize in Literature. Media in the United States is broadly uncensored, with the First Amendment providing significant protections, as reiterated in New York Times Co. v. United States. The four major broadcasters in the U.S. are the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), American Broadcasting Company (ABC), and Fox Broadcasting Company (Fox). The four major broadcast television networks are all commercial entities. The U.S. cable television system offers hundreds of channels catering to a variety of niches. In 2021, about 83% of Americans over age 12 listened to broadcast radio, while about 40% listened to podcasts. In the prior year, there were 15,460 licensed full-power radio stations in the U.S. according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Much of the public radio broadcasting is supplied by National Public Radio (NPR), incorporated in February 1970 under the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967. U.S. newspapers with a global reach and reputation include The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and USA Today. About 800 publications are produced in Spanish. With few exceptions, newspapers are privately owned, either by large chains such as Gannett or McClatchy, which own dozens or even hundreds of newspapers; by small chains that own a handful of papers; or, in an increasingly rare situation, by individuals or families. Major cities often have alternative newspapers to complement the mainstream daily papers, such as The Village Voice in New York City and LA Weekly in Los Angeles. The five most-visited websites in the world are Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and ChatGPT—all of them American-owned. Other popular platforms used include X (formerly Twitter) and Amazon. In 2025, the U.S. was the world's second-largest video game market by revenue (after China). In 2015, the U.S. video game industry consisted of 2,457 companies that employed around 220,000 jobs and generated $30.4 billion in revenue. There are 444 game publishers, developers, and hardware companies in California alone. According to the Game Developers Conference (GDC), the U.S. is the top location for video game development, with 58% of the world's game developers based there in 2025. The United States is well known for its theater. Mainstream theater in the United States derives from the old European theatrical tradition and has been heavily influenced by the British theater. By the middle of the 19th century, America had created new distinct dramatic forms in the Tom Shows, the showboat theater and the minstrel show. The central hub of the American theater scene is the Theater District in Manhattan, with its divisions of Broadway, off-Broadway, and off-off-Broadway. Many movie and television celebrities have gotten their big break working in New York productions. Outside New York City, many cities have professional regional or resident theater companies that produce their own seasons. The biggest-budget theatrical productions are musicals. U.S. theater has an active community theater culture. The Tony Awards recognizes excellence in live Broadway theater and are presented at an annual ceremony in Manhattan. The awards are given for Broadway productions and performances. One is also given for regional theater. Several discretionary non-competitive awards are given as well, including a Special Tony Award, the Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre, and the Isabelle Stevenson Award. Folk art in colonial America grew out of artisanal craftsmanship in communities that allowed commonly trained people to individually express themselves. It was distinct from Europe's tradition of high art, which was less accessible and generally less relevant to early American settlers. Cultural movements in art and craftsmanship in colonial America generally lagged behind those of Western Europe. For example, the prevailing medieval style of woodworking and primitive sculpture became integral to early American folk art, despite the emergence of Renaissance styles in England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The new English styles would have been early enough to make a considerable impact on American folk art, but American styles and forms had already been firmly adopted. Not only did styles change slowly in early America, but there was a tendency for rural artisans there to continue their traditional forms longer than their urban counterparts did—and far longer than those in Western Europe. The Hudson River School was a mid-19th-century movement in the visual arts tradition of European naturalism. The 1913 Armory Show in New York City, an exhibition of European modernist art, shocked the public and transformed the U.S. art scene. American Realism and American Regionalism sought to reflect and give America new ways of looking at itself. Georgia O'Keeffe, Marsden Hartley, and others experimented with new and individualistic styles, which would become known as American modernism. Major artistic movements such as the abstract expressionism of Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning and the pop art of Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein developed largely in the United States. Major photographers include Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Steichen, Dorothea Lange, Edward Weston, James Van Der Zee, Ansel Adams, and Gordon Parks. The tide of modernism and then postmodernism has brought global fame to American architects, including Frank Lloyd Wright, Philip Johnson, and Frank Gehry. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan is the largest art museum in the United States and the fourth-largest in the world. American folk music encompasses numerous music genres, variously known as traditional music, traditional folk music, contemporary folk music, or roots music. Many traditional songs have been sung within the same family or folk group for generations, and sometimes trace back to such origins as the British Isles, mainland Europe, or Africa. The rhythmic and lyrical styles of African-American music in particular have influenced American music. Banjos were brought to America through the slave trade. Minstrel shows incorporating the instrument into their acts led to its increased popularity and widespread production in the 19th century. The electric guitar, first invented in the 1930s, and mass-produced by the 1940s, had an enormous influence on popular music, in particular due to the development of rock and roll. The synthesizer, turntablism, and electronic music were also largely developed in the U.S. Elements from folk idioms such as the blues and old-time music were adopted and transformed into popular genres with global audiences. Jazz grew from blues and ragtime in the early 20th century, developing from the innovations and recordings of composers such as W.C. Handy and Jelly Roll Morton. Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington increased its popularity early in the 20th century. Country music developed in the 1920s, bluegrass and rhythm and blues in the 1940s, and rock and roll in the 1950s. In the 1960s, Bob Dylan emerged from the folk revival to become one of the country's most celebrated songwriters. The musical forms of punk and hip hop both originated in the United States in the 1970s. The United States has the world's largest music market, with a total retail value of $15.9 billion in 2022. Most of the world's major record companies are based in the U.S.; they are represented by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Mid-20th-century American pop stars, such as Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, became global celebrities and best-selling music artists, as have artists of the late 20th century, such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey, and of the early 21st century, such as Eminem, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. The United States has the world's largest apparel market by revenue. Apart from professional business attire, American fashion is eclectic and predominantly informal. Americans' diverse cultural roots are reflected in their clothing; however, sneakers, jeans, T-shirts, and baseball caps are emblematic of American styles. New York, with its Fashion Week, is considered to be one of the "Big Four" global fashion capitals, along with Paris, Milan, and London. A study demonstrated that general proximity to Manhattan's Garment District has been synonymous with American fashion since its inception in the early 20th century. A number of well-known designer labels, among them Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford and Calvin Klein, are headquartered in Manhattan. Labels cater to niche markets, such as preteens. New York Fashion Week is one of the most influential fashion shows in the world, and is held twice each year in Manhattan; the annual Met Gala, also in Manhattan, has been called the fashion world's "biggest night". The U.S. film industry has a worldwide influence and following. Hollywood, a district in central Los Angeles, the nation's second-most populous city, is also metonymous for the American filmmaking industry. The major film studios of the United States are the primary source of the most commercially successful movies selling the most tickets in the world. Largely centered in the New York City region from its beginnings in the late 19th century through the first decades of the 20th century, the U.S. film industry has since been primarily based in and around Hollywood. Nonetheless, American film companies have been subject to the forces of globalization in the 21st century, and an increasing number of films are made elsewhere. The Academy Awards, popularly known as "the Oscars", have been held annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences since 1929, and the Golden Globe Awards have been held annually since January 1944. The industry peaked in what is commonly referred to as the "Golden Age of Hollywood", from the early sound period until the early 1960s, with screen actors such as John Wayne and Marilyn Monroe becoming iconic figures. In the 1970s, "New Hollywood", or the "Hollywood Renaissance", was defined by grittier films influenced by French and Italian realist pictures of the post-war period. The 21st century has been marked by the rise of American streaming platforms, which came to rival traditional cinema. Early settlers were introduced by Native Americans to foods such as turkey, sweet potatoes, corn, squash, and maple syrup. Of the most enduring and pervasive examples are variations of the native dish called succotash. Early settlers and later immigrants combined these with foods they were familiar with, such as wheat flour, beef, and milk, to create a distinctive American cuisine. New World crops, especially pumpkin, corn, potatoes, and turkey as the main course are part of a shared national menu on Thanksgiving, when many Americans prepare or purchase traditional dishes to celebrate the occasion. Characteristic American dishes such as apple pie, fried chicken, doughnuts, french fries, macaroni and cheese, ice cream, hamburgers, hot dogs, and American pizza derive from the recipes of various immigrant groups. Mexican dishes such as burritos and tacos preexisted the United States in areas later annexed from Mexico, and adaptations of Chinese cuisine as well as pasta dishes freely adapted from Italian sources are all widely consumed. American chefs have had a significant impact on society both domestically and internationally. In 1946, the Culinary Institute of America was founded by Katharine Angell and Frances Roth. This would become the United States' most prestigious culinary school, where many of the most talented American chefs would study prior to successful careers. The United States restaurant industry was projected at $899 billion in sales for 2020, and employed more than 15 million people, representing 10% of the nation's workforce directly. It is the country's second-largest private employer and the third-largest employer overall. The United States is home to over 220 Michelin star-rated restaurants, 70 of which are in New York City. Wine has been produced in what is now the United States since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in what is now New Mexico in 1628. In the modern U.S., wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84 percent of all U.S. wine. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine-producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France. The classic American diner, a casual restaurant type originally intended for the working class, emerged during the 19th century from converted railroad dining cars made stationary. The diner soon evolved into purpose-built structures whose number expanded greatly in the 20th century. The American fast-food industry developed alongside the nation's car culture. American restaurants developed the drive-in format in the 1920s, which they began to replace with the drive-through format by the 1940s. American fast-food restaurant chains, such as McDonald's, Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Dunkin' Donuts and many others, have numerous outlets around the world. The most popular spectator sports in the U.S. are American football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and ice hockey. Their premier leagues are, respectively, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, and the National Hockey League, All these leagues enjoy wide-ranging domestic media coverage and, except for the MLS, all are considered the preeminent leagues in their respective sports in the world. While most major U.S. sports such as baseball and American football have evolved out of European practices, basketball, volleyball, skateboarding, and snowboarding are American inventions, many of which have become popular worldwide. Lacrosse and surfing arose from Native American and Native Hawaiian activities that predate European contact. The market for professional sports in the United States was approximately $69 billion in July 2013, roughly 50% larger than that of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa combined. American football is by several measures the most popular spectator sport in the United States. Although American football does not have a substantial following in other nations, the NFL does have the highest average attendance (67,254) of any professional sports league in the world. In the year 2024, the NFL generated over $23 billion, making them the most valued professional sports league in the United States and the world. Baseball has been regarded as the U.S. "national sport" since the late 19th century. The most-watched individual sports in the U.S. are golf and auto racing, particularly NASCAR and IndyCar. On the collegiate level, earnings for the member institutions exceed $1 billion annually, and college football and basketball attract large audiences, as the NCAA March Madness tournament and the College Football Playoff are some of the most watched national sporting events. In the U.S., the intercollegiate sports level serves as the main feeder system for professional and Olympic sports, with significant exceptions such as Minor League Baseball. This differs greatly from practices in nearly all other countries, where publicly and privately funded sports organizations serve this function. Eight Olympic Games have taken place in the United States. The 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis, Missouri, were the first-ever Olympic Games held outside of Europe. The Olympic Games will be held in the U.S. for a ninth time when Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Summer Olympics. U.S. athletes have won a total of 2,968 medals (1,179 gold) at the Olympic Games, the most of any country. In other international competition, the United States is the home of a number of prestigious events, including the America's Cup, World Baseball Classic, the U.S. Open, and the Masters Tournament. The U.S. men's national soccer team has qualified for eleven World Cups, while the women's national team has won the FIFA Women's World Cup and Olympic soccer tournament four and five times, respectively. The 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup was hosted by the United States. Its final match was attended by 90,185, setting the world record for largest women's sporting event crowd at the time. The United States hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup and will co-host, along with Canada and Mexico, the 2026 FIFA World Cup. See also Notes References This article incorporates text from a free content work. Licensed under CC BY-SA IGO 3.0 (license statement/permission). Text taken from World Food and Agriculture – Statistical Yearbook 2023, FAO, FAO. External links 40°N 100°W / 40°N 100°W / 40; -100 (United States of America)
========================================

[SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reddit#cite_ref-rpan_142-1] \| [TOKENS: 12221]
Contents Reddit Reddit (/ˈrɛdɪt/ ⓘ RED-it, formerly stylized reddit) is an American proprietary social news aggregation and forum social media platform. Registered users (commonly referred to as "redditors") submit content to the site such as links, text posts, images, and videos, which are then voted up or down ("upvoted" or "downvoted") by other members. Posts are organized by subject into user-created boards called "subreddits". Submissions with more upvotes appear towards the top of their subreddit and, if they receive enough upvotes, ultimately on the site's front page. Reddit administrators moderate the communities. Moderation is also conducted by subreddit-specific moderators, who are unpaid volunteers. It is operated by Reddit, Inc., based in San Francisco. As of December 2025, Reddit is one of the most-visited websites in the world. According to data provided by Similarweb, 51.75% of the website traffic comes from the United States, followed by Canada at 7.01%, the United Kingdom at 6.97%, Australia at 3.97%, Germany at 3%, and the remaining 28.37% split among other countries. Reddit was founded by University of Virginia roommates Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian in June 2005, who were joined by Aaron Swartz that November. Condé Nast Publications acquired the site in October 2006. In 2011, Reddit became an independent subsidiary of Condé Nast's parent company, Advance Publications. Reddit debuted on the stock market on the morning of March 21, 2024, with the ticker symbol RDDT. The current market cap as of July 2024 is US$10 billion. Reddit has been noted for its role in political activism, particularly in the United States, with notable left-wing and anti-theist subcultures on the website. It has received praise for many of its features, such as the ability to create several subreddits for niche communities. It has been criticized for the spread of misinformation and its voting system which can encourage online echo chambers. History The idea and initial development of Reddit originated with college roommates Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian in 2005, who attended a lecture by programmer-entrepreneur Paul Graham in Boston during their spring break from University of Virginia. After speaking with Huffman and Ohanian following the lecture, Graham invited the two to apply to his startup incubator Y Combinator. Their initial idea, My Mobile Menu, was unsuccessful, and was intended to allow users to order food by SMS text messaging. During a brainstorming session to pitch another startup, the idea was created for what Graham called the "front page of the Internet". For that idea, Huffman and Ohanian were accepted in Y Combinator's first class. Supported by the funding from Y Combinator, Huffman coded the site in Common Lisp and together with Ohanian launched Reddit in June 2005. Embarrassed by an empty-looking site, the founders created hundreds of fake users for their posts to make it look more populated. The team expanded to include Christopher Slowe in November 2005. Between November 2005 and January 2006, Reddit merged with Aaron Swartz's company Infogami, and Swartz became an equal owner of the resulting parent company, Not A Bug. Swartz then helped rewrite the software running Reddit using web.py, a web framework he developed. The passage from Aaron Swartz's blog post "Rewriting Reddit" reveals that the switch from Lisp to Python, specifically using the web.py framework developed by Swartz, was driven by a desire for simplicity, maintainability, and performance. Despite facing skepticism and critique from the Lisp community, the change was justified by the efficiency and clarity Python provided for the project. This initiative not only influenced the technical evolution of Reddit but also contributed to the broader web development community by inspiring other frameworks and remaining a significant part of Reddit's history. In 2011, Ohanian claimed that rather than Swartz being a co-founder, the correct description would be that Swartz's company was acquired by Reddit six months after the website was founded. Huffman and Ohanian sold Reddit to Condé Nast Publications, owner of Wired, on October 31, 2006, for a reported $10 million to $20 million and the team moved to San Francisco. In November 2006, Swartz posted to his blog, complaining about the new corporate environment, criticizing its level of productivity. In January 2007, Swartz was fired for undisclosed reasons. Huffman and Ohanian left Reddit in 2009. Huffman went on to co-found Hipmunk with Adam Goldstein, and later recruited Ohanian and Slowe to the new company. After Huffman and Ohanian left Reddit, Erik Martin, who joined the company as a community manager in 2008 and later became general manager in 2011, played a role in Reddit's growth. VentureBeat noted that Martin was "responsible for keeping the site going" under Condé Nast's ownership. Yishan Wong joined Reddit as CEO in 2012. Wong resigned from Reddit in 2014, citing disagreements about his proposal to move the company's offices from San Francisco to nearby Daly City, but also the "stressful and draining" nature of the position. Ohanian credited Wong with the company's newfound success as its user base grew from 35 million to 174 million. Wong oversaw the company as it raised $50 million in funding and spun off as an independent company. Also during this time, Reddit began accepting the digital currency Bitcoin for its Reddit Gold subscription service through a partnership with bitcoin payment processor Coinbase in February 2013. Ellen Pao replaced Wong as interim CEO in 2014 and resigned in 2015 amid a user revolt over the firing of a popular Reddit employee. During her tenure, Reddit initiated an anti-harassment policy, banned involuntary sexualization, and banned several forums that focused on bigoted content or harassment of individuals. After five years away from the company, Ohanian and Huffman returned to leadership roles: Ohanian became the full-time executive chairman in November 2014 following Wong's resignation, while Pao's departure on July 10, 2015, led to Huffman's return as the company's chief executive. After Huffman rejoined Reddit as CEO, he launched Reddit's iOS and Android apps, improved Reddit's mobile website, and created A/B testing infrastructure. The company launched a major redesign of its website in April 2018. Huffman said new users were turned off from Reddit because it had looked like a "dystopian Craigslist". Reddit also instituted several technological improvements, such as a new tool that allows users to hide posts, comments, and private messages from selected redditors in an attempt to curb online harassment, and new content guidelines. These new content guidelines were aimed at banning content inciting violence and quarantining offensive material. Slowe, the company's first employee, rejoined Reddit in 2017 as chief technology officer. Ohanian resigned as a member of the board on June 5, 2020 in response to the George Floyd protests and requested to be replaced "by a Black candidate". Michael Seibel, then-CEO of Y Combinator, was subsequently named to the board. On March 5, 2021, Reddit announced that it had appointed Drew Vollero, who had worked at Snapchat's parent company, Snap Inc., as its first chief financial officer (CFO) weeks after the site was thrust into the spotlight due to its role in the GameStop trading frenzy. Vollero's appointment spurred speculation of an initial public offering, a move that senior leaders have considered publicly. As of August 2021[update], Reddit was valued at more than $10 billion following a $410 million funding round. The company was looking to hire investment bankers and lawyers to assist in making an initial public offering. However, CEO Steve Huffman said the company had not decided on the timing for when to go public. In December 2021, Reddit revealed that it had confidentially filed for an initial public offering with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Reddit's initial public offering opened on March 20, 2024, at $34 per share and a $6.4 billion valuation. They went public the next day on the New York Stock Exchange at $47 per share and rose to $50.44 at market close on their first day of trading, reaching a market cap of $9.5 billion. The market cap as of July 2024 was $10 billion. Site overview Reddit is a website comprising user-generated content—including photos, videos, links, and text-based posts—and discussions of this content in what is essentially a bulletin board system. The name "Reddit" is a play-on-words with the phrase "read it", i.e., "I read it on Reddit." According to Reddit, in 2019, there were approximately 430 million monthly users, who are known as "redditors". The site's content is divided into categories or communities known on-site as "subreddits", of which there are more than 138,000 active communities. As a network of communities, Reddit's core content consists of posts from its users. Users can comment on others' posts to continue the conversation. A key feature to Reddit is that users can cast positive or negative votes, called upvotes and downvotes respectively, for each post and comment on the site. The number of upvotes or downvotes determines the posts' visibility on the site, so the most popular content is displayed to the most people. Users can also earn "karma" for their posts and comments, a status that reflects their standing within the community and their contributions to Reddit. Posts are sometimes automatically archived after six months, meaning they can no longer be commented or voted on. The most popular posts from the site's numerous subreddits are visible on the front page to those who browse the site without an account. By default for those users, the front page will display the subreddit r/popular, featuring top-ranked posts across all of Reddit, excluding not-safe-for-work communities and others that are most commonly filtered out by users (even if they are safe for work). The subreddit r/all originally did not filter topics, but as of 2021 it does not include not-safe-for-work content. Registered users who subscribe to subreddits see the top content from the subreddits to which they subscribe on their personal front pages. Additionally, some subreddits have a karma and account age requirement to discourage bots and spammers from posting. Front-page rank—for both the general front page and for individual subreddits—is determined by a combination of factors, including the age of the submission, positive ("upvoted") to negative ("downvoted") feedback ratio, and the total vote-count. Registering an account with Reddit is free and requires an email address. In addition to commenting and voting, registered users can also create their own subreddit on a topic of their choosing. In Reddit style, usernames begin with "u/". Noteworthy redditors include u/Poem_for_your_sprog, who responds to messages across Reddit in verse, u/Shitty_Watercolour who posts paintings in response to posts, and u/spez, the CEO of Reddit (Steve Huffman). Subreddits are overseen by moderators, Reddit users who earn the title by creating a subreddit or being promoted by a current moderator. Reddit users may also request to moderate a sub that has no moderators or very inactive ones in r/redditrequest. These requests are reviewed by the Reddit admins. Moderators are volunteers who manage their communities, set and enforce community-specific rules, remove posts and comments that violate these rules, and often work to keep discussions in their subreddit on topic. Admins, by contrast, are employees of Reddit. Early on, Reddit implemented shadow banning, purportedly to address spam accounts, while saying, "it's still the only tool we have to punish people who break the rules". In 2015, Reddit added an account suspension feature which they said would replace sitewide shadowbans, however, moderators are still able to shadowban users or their individual posts. Reddit releases transparency reports annually which have information like how many posts have been taken down by moderators and for what reason. It also details information about requests law enforcement agencies have made for information about users or to take down content. In 2020, Reddit removed 6% of posts made on the platform (approx. 233 million). More than 99% of removals were marked as spam; the remainder made up of a mix of other offensive content. Around 131 million posts were removed by the automated moderator (~56 %) and the rest were taken down manually. It is estimated that Reddit's moderators work 466 hours every day, which is $3.4 million in unpaid work each year. That roughly equates to 2.8% of the company's annual revenue. Subreddits (officially called communities) are user-created areas of interest where discussions on Reddit are organized. There are about 138,000 active subreddits (among a total of 1.2 million) as of July 2018[update]. Subreddit names begin with "r/"; for instance, "r/science" is a community devoted to discussing scientific publications, while "r/gaming" is a community devoted to discussing video games, and "r/worldnews" is for posting news articles from around the world. In a 2014 interview with Memeburn, Erik Martin, then the general manager of Reddit, remarked that their "approach is to give the community moderators or curators as much control as possible so that they can shape and cultivate the type of communities they want". Subreddits often use themed variants of Reddit's alien mascot, Snoo, in the visual styling of their communities. Today subreddits exist not only for interests and topics but also for organizations. The Wayanad Literature Festival has a subreddit where they host discussions based on the sessions they host and encourage people to post about literature, politics and media. Reddit Premium (formerly Reddit Gold) is a premium membership that allows users to view the site ad-free. Until 2023, subscribers could also use coins to award posts or comments they valued, generally due to humorous or high-quality content. Reddit Premium unlocks several features not accessible to regular users, such as comment highlighting, exclusive subreddits such as r/lounge, a personalized Snoo (known as a "snoovatar"), and a Reddit premium trophy that can be displayed on the user's profile. Reddit Gold was renamed to Reddit Premium in 2018. In addition to gold coins, users were able to gift silver and platinum coins to other users as rewards for quality content. On the site, redditors commemorate their "cake day" once a year, on the anniversary of the day their account was created. Cake day adds an icon of a small slice of cake next to the user's name for 24 hours. In August 2021, the company introduced a TikTok-like short-form video feature for iOS that lets users rapidly swipe through a feed of short video content. In December 2021, the company introduced a Spotify Wrapped-like feature called Reddit Recap that recaps various statistics from January 1 to November 30 about each individual user, such as how much time they spent on Reddit, which communities they joined, and the topics that they engaged with, and allows the user to view it. On July 7, 2022, Reddit announced "blockchain-backed Collectible Avatars", customizable avatars which are available on the subreddit r/CollectibleAvatars for purchase separate from Reddit Premium. The avatars were created by independent artists who post work on other subreddits, and who receive a portion of the profits. They use Reddit's Polygon blockchain-powered digital wallet the Vault. Richard Lawler of The Verge described them as "non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that are available for purchase in the Reddit Avatar Builder". In 2017, Reddit developed its own real-time chat software for the site. While some established subreddits have used third-party software to chat about their communities, the company built chat functions that it hopes will become an integral part of Reddit. Individual chat rooms were rolled out in 2017 and community chat rooms for members of a given subreddit were rolled out in 2018. Reddit Talk was announced in April 2021 as a competitor to Clubhouse. Reddit Talk lets subreddit moderators start audio meeting rooms that mimic Clubhouse in design. In 2022, Reddit Talk was updated to support recording audio rooms and work on the web version of Reddit. A desktop app is reportedly slated for a late February release. Reddit Chat replaced the Reddit private messaging system in June 2025. Reddit acquired MeaningCloud, a natural language processing company in June 2022. In February 2024, Reddit announced a partnership with Google in a deal worth about $60 million per year, to license its real-time user content to train Google's AI model. The partnership also lets Reddit get access to Google's "Vertex AI" service which would help improve search results on Reddit. It was announced that Reddit and OpenAI had reached a deal that will allow OpenAI access to the Reddit API to train its models, while Reddit will receive certain AI tools for moderators and users. In December 2024, Reddit announced Reddit Answers, an AI search tool that summarizes conversations in response to a question from the user. Reddit's search function has had many iterations; the one on the new site currently uses Lucidworks Fusion, while the search on old reddit uses Reddit's own in-house search In 2009, Reddit released their official mobile app, called iReddit. This app was sparsely updated, and was superseded by a new mobile website in 2010. For several years, most Redditors relied on third-party apps to access Reddit on mobile devices. In October 2014, Reddit acquired one of them, Alien Blue, which became the official iOS Reddit app. Reddit removed Alien Blue and released its official application, Reddit: The Official App, on Google Play and the iOS App Store in April 2016. The company released an app for Reddit's question-and-answer Ask Me Anything subreddit in 2014. The app allowed users to see active Ask Me Anythings, receive notifications, ask questions and vote. As of September 2025, all versions of the iReddit and Alien Blue apps still work on older versions of iOS; they were not affected by the API shutdown due to both of them being official Reddit apps. The 2010 mobile site, however, was shut down in 2024. The site has undergone several products and design changes since it originally launched in 2005. When it initially launched, there were no comments or subreddits. Comments were added in 2005 and interest-based groups (called 'subreddits') were introduced in 2008. Allowing users to create subreddits has led to much of the activity that redditors would recognize that helped define Reddit. These include subreddits "WTF", "funny", and "AskReddit". Reddit rolled out its multireddit feature, the site's biggest change to its front page in years, in 2013. With the multireddits, users see top stories from a collection of subreddits. In 2015, Reddit enabled embedding and as a result users could share Reddit content on other sites. In 2016, Reddit began hosting images using a new image uploading tool, a move that shifted away from the uploading service Imgur that had been the de facto service. Users still can upload images to Reddit using Imgur. Reddit's in-house video uploading service for desktop and mobile launched in 2017. Previously, users had to use third-party video uploading services, which Reddit acknowledged was time-consuming for users. Reddit released its "spoiler tags" feature in January 2017. The feature warns users of potential spoilers in posts and pixelates preview images. Reddit unveiled changes to its public front page, called r/popular, in 2017; the change creates a front page free of potentially adult-oriented content for unregistered users. In late 2017, Reddit declared it wanted to be a mobile-first site, launching several changes to its apps for iOS and Android. The new features included user-to-user chat, a theater mode for viewing visual content, and mobile tools for the site's moderators. "Mod mode" lets moderators manage content and their subreddits on mobile devices. Reddit launched its redesigned website in 2018, with its first major visual update in a decade. Development for the new site took more than a year. It was the result of an initiative by Huffman upon returning to Reddit, who said the site's outdated look deterred new users. The new site features a hamburger menu to help users navigate the site, different views, and new fonts to better inform redditors if they are clicking on a Reddit post or an external link. The nominal goal was not only for Reddit to improve its appearance, but also to make it easier to accommodate a new generation of Reddit users. Additionally Reddit's growth had strained the site's back end; Huffman and Reddit Vice President of Engineering Nick Caldwell told The Wall Street Journal's COI Journal that Reddit needed to leverage artificial intelligence and other modern digital tools. Users can opt-out of the redesign by using the old.reddit.com domain. On May 15, 2024, the dedicated login flow was removed from the old domain, although site admins said they had "no plans" to remove the old domain entirely. In November 2023, Fast Company reported that Reddit began rolling out a comprehensive rebrand, including a new logo, typeface, brand colors, and an updated version of its mascot Snoo, as part of its preparation for a potential 2024 IPO and in response to its expanding user base and global reach. Reddit's logo consists of a time-traveling alien named Snoo and the company name stylized as "reddit". The alien has an oval head, pom-pom ears, and an antenna. Its colors are black, white, and orange-red. The mascot was created in 2005 while company co-founder Alexis Ohanian was an undergraduate at the University of Virginia. Ohanian drew a doodle of the creature while he was bored during a marketing class. Originally, Ohanian sought to name the mascot S'new, a play on "What's new?", to tie the mascot into Reddit's premise as the "front page of the Internet". Eventually, the name Snoo was chosen. In 2011, Ohanian outlined the logo's evolution with a graphic that showcased several early versions, including various spellings of the website name, such as "Reditt". Snoo is genderless, so the logo is moldable. Over the years, the Reddit logo has frequently changed for holidays and other special events. Many subreddits have a customized Snoo logo to represent the subreddit. Redditors can also submit their own logos, which sometimes appear on the site's front page, or create their own customized versions of Snoo for their communities (or "subreddits"). When Reddit revamped its website in April 2018, the company imposed several restrictions on how Snoo can be designed: Snoo's head "should always appear blank or neutral", Snoo's eyes are orange-red, and Snoo cannot have fingers. Snoo's purpose is to discover and explore humanity. Discontinued features Starting in 2023 with the discontinuation of the Reddit API's free tier, Reddit has been silently discontinuing legacy features and reducing the functionalities of the old site. All of these changes have been met with significant backlash by the Reddit community. Reddit's private messaging system, which had been present on the site ever since its launch in 2005, was discontinued in 2025 in favor of Reddit Chat. Reddit discontinued its free API tier for commercial applications in April 2023. This was met with significant backlash by the community, leaving the website in a state of disarray for months. In early 2023, Reddit silently discontinued its legacy mobile site, known as i.reddit, and reddit compact and previously accessible at i.reddit.com. This was despite a Reddit admin stating that iReddit was "here to stay". The original 2017 redesign of Reddit, also known as new.reddit and old new Reddit and previously accessible at new.reddit.com, was discontinued on December 11, 2024. No changes were made to the pre-2017 legacy desktop site, still accessible at old.reddit.com. In 2023, the Reddit coin and award system was discontinued in favor of a "golden upvote". This was deeply unpopular, and Reddit added awards back under a new implementation a few months later. However, these new awards are not accessible or viewable on the legacy desktop site. On June 4, 2025, Reddit announced that they would be removing custom emoji from comments. Login: Login functionality was removed from the old site sometime in 2024. You can still log in to the old site, but you must do it through the new site. Age trophies: Account age trophies past Year 15 are not visible on the old site. Private messaging: Sending a private message (like a modmail) now requires you to use the new site. FAQ, terms, and official Wiki pages: All official information pages were migrated from the legacy site's wiki to the new site sometime in 2020. Reddit notifications: Official Reddit notifications were moved from the legacy inbox to the Notifications section, which is only accessible on the new site. The Reddit Public Access Network, commonly known as RPAN, was a live streaming service run by Reddit. Viewers interacted with streams by upvoting or downvoting, chatting, and giving paid awards. During the off-air hours, 24/7 streaming was possible to the dedicated subreddits, but with limited slots and capabilities. On August 19, 2019, Reddit announced RPAN. It was said to be in testing, but they were experimenting with making it a permanent program, as well as a way to increase revenue for the platform. Later, a five-day testing period began. During the testing period, streaming was for a select group of users, allowing 30 minutes of streaming per person and 100 slots. On July 1, 2020, RPAN Studio was released, an application that allows users to broadcast live from desktop computers. RPAN Studio has been built on top of OBS, an open-source streaming and recording program. On January 28, 2021, Reddit permanently increased streaming times to three hours. RPAN was officially discontinued on November 15, 2022. Corporate affairs Reddit is a public company based in San Francisco. In 2023, it downsized from an office in the Mid-Market neighborhood to an office in the South of Market neighborhood. Reddit doubled its headcount in 2017; as of 2018[update], it employed approximately 350 people. In 2017, the company was valued at $1.8 billion during a $200 million round of new venture funding. The company was previously owned by Condé Nast, but was spun off as an independent company. As of April 2018[update], Advance Publications, Condé Nast's parent company, retained a majority stake in Reddit. Reddit's key management personnel includes co-founder and CEO Steve Huffman, Chief Technology Officer Chris Slowe, who was the company's original lead engineer, and Chief Operating Officer Jen Wong, a former president of digital and chief operating officer at Time Inc. Reddit does not disclose its revenue figures. The company generates revenue in part through advertising and premium memberships that remove ads from the site. As part of its company culture, Reddit operates on a no-negotiation policy for employee salaries. The company offers new mothers, fathers, and adoptive parents up to 16 weeks of parental leave. Advertising Reddit launched two different ways of advertising on the site in 2009. The company launched sponsored content and a self-serve ads platform that year. Reddit launched its Reddit Gold benefits program in July 2010, which offered new features to editors and created a new revenue stream for the business that did not rely on banner ads. On September 6, 2011, Reddit became operationally independent of Condé Nast, operating as a separate subsidiary of its parent company, Advance Publications. Reddit's users tend to be more privacy-conscious than on other websites, often using tools like ad-blocking software and proxies, and they dislike "feeling manipulated by brands" but respond well to "content that begs for intelligent viewers and participants." Lauren Orsini writes in ReadWrite that "Reddit's huge community is the perfect hype machine for promoting a new movie, a product release, or a lagging political campaign" but there is a "very specific set of etiquette. Redditors don't want to advertise for you, they want to talk to you." Journalists have used the site as a basis for stories, though they are advised by the site's policies to respect that "reddit's communities belong to their members" and to seek proper attribution for people's contributions. Reddit announced that they would begin using VigLink to redirect affiliate links in June 2016. Since 2017, Reddit has partnered with companies to host sponsored AMAs and other interactive events, increased advertising offerings, and introduced efforts to work with content publishers. In 2018, Reddit hired Jen Wong as COO, responsible for the company's business strategy and growth, and introduced native mobile ads. Reddit opened a Chicago office to be closer to major companies and advertising agencies located in and around Chicago. In 2019, Reddit hired former Twitter ad director Shariq Rizvi as its vice president of ad products and engineering. Community and culture The website is known for its open nature and diverse user community that generate its content. Its demographics allows for wide-ranging subject areas, as well as the ability for smaller subreddits to serve more niche purposes. The user base of Reddit has given birth to other websites, including image sharing community and image host Imgur, which started in 2009 as a gift to Reddit's community. In its first five months, it jumped from a thousand hits per day to a million total page views. Data collected by Pew Research Center in 2013 found that Reddit users were much more likely to be from urban communities than rural ones. Women were greatly under-represented on the website. Reddit's userbase had a disproportionately high number of Hispanic users. With regards to education, high school dropouts were over-represented among Reddit users. Reddit has been noted for its role in political activism, with notable left-wing and anti-theist subcultures on the website. Statistics from Google Ad Planner suggest that 74% of Reddit users are male. In 2016, the Pew Research Center published research showing that 4% of U.S. adults use Reddit, of which 67% are men, while 78% of users get news from Reddit. Users tend to be significantly younger than average with less than 1% of users being 65 or over. Politically, 43% of Reddit users surveyed by Pew Research Center in 2016 identified as liberal, with 38% identifying as moderate and 19% as conservative. Reddit is known in part for its passionate user base, which has been described as "offbeat, quirky, and anti-establishment". Similar to the "Slashdot effect", the Reddit effect occurs when a smaller website crashes due to a high influx of traffic after being linked to on Reddit; this is also called the Reddit "hug of death". Users have used Reddit as a platform for their charitable and philanthropic efforts. Redditors raised more than $100,000 for charity in support of comedians Jon Stewart's and Stephen Colbert's Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear; more than $180,000 for Haiti earthquake relief efforts; and delivered food pantries' Amazon wish lists. In 2010, Christians, Muslims, and atheists held a friendly fundraising competition, where the groups raised more than $50,000. A similar donation drive in 2011 saw the atheism subreddit raise over $200,000 for charity. In February 2014, Reddit announced it would donate 10% of its annual ad revenue to non-profits voted upon by its users. As a result of the campaign, Reddit donated $82,765 each to each of the selected recipients. Reddit has been used for a wide variety of political engagement including the presidential campaigns of Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and Bernie Sanders. It has also been used for self-organizing sociopolitical activism such as protests, communication with politicians and active communities. Reddit has become a popular place for worldwide political discussions. The March for Science originated from a discussion on Reddit over the deletion of all references to climate change from the White House website, about which a user commented that "There needs to be a Scientists' March on Washington". On April 22, 2017, more than 1 million scientists and supporters participated in more than 600 events in 66 countries across the globe. Reddit users have been engaged in the defense of Internet privacy, net neutrality and Internet anonymity. Reddit created an Internet blackout day and was joined by Wikipedia and other sites in 2012 in protest of the Stop Online Piracy and PROTECT IP acts. On January 18, Reddit participated in a 12-hour sitewide blackout to coincide with a congressional committee hearing on the measures. During that time, Reddit displayed a message on the legislation's effects on Reddit, in addition to resources on the proposed laws. In May 2012, Reddit joined the Internet Defense League, a group formed to organize future protests. The site and its users protested the Federal Communications Commission as it prepared to scrap net neutrality rules. In 2017, users upvoted "Battle for the Net" posts enough times that they filled up the entire front page. On another day, the front page was overtaken by posts showcasing campaign donations received by members of Congress from the telecommunications industry. Reddit CEO Steve Huffman has also advocated for net neutrality rules. In 2017, Huffman told The New York Times that without net neutrality protections, "you give internet service providers the ability to choose winners and losers". On Reddit, Huffman urged redditors to express support for net neutrality and contact their elected representatives in Washington, D.C. Huffman said that the repeal of net neutrality rules stifles competition. He said he and Reddit would continue to advocate for net neutrality. As a response to Glenn Beck's August 28, 2010, Restoring Honor rally, in September 2010 Reddit users started a movement to persuade satirist Stephen Colbert to have a counter-rally in Washington, D.C. The movement, which came to be called "Restoring Truthiness", was started by user mrsammercer, in a post where he described waking up from a dream in which Stephen Colbert was holding a satirical rally in D.C. Over $100,000 was raised for charity to gain the attention of Colbert. The campaign was mentioned on-air several times, and when the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear was held in Washington, D.C., on October 30, 2010, thousands of redditors made the journey. During a post-rally press conference, Reddit co-founder Ohanian asked, "What role did the Internet campaign play in convincing you to hold this rally?" Jon Stewart responded by saying that, though it was a very nice gesture, he and Colbert had already thought of the idea and the deposit for using the National Mall was already paid during the summer, so it acted mostly as a "validation of what we were thinking about attempting". In a message to the Reddit community, Colbert later added, "I have no doubt that your efforts to organize and the joy you clearly brought to your part of the story contributed greatly to the turnout and success." Reddit has been blocked in multiple countries due to Internet censorship performed by the governments of some countries. As of October 2023, Reddit is blocked in Indonesia, China, North Korea, Turkey, and partially blocked in Bangladesh. Reddit was blocked in Russia in 2015 and later unblocked. Since May 2014, Reddit has been blocked in Indonesia by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology for hosting content containing nudity. In August 2015, the Federal Drug Control Service of Russia determined that Reddit was promoting conversations about psychedelic drugs. The Roskomnadzor banned the website, citing advice on how to grow magic mushrooms as the reason. The Russian government had asked Reddit before to remove drug-related posts to no response. The site was later unblocked. ISPs in India were found to be blocking traffic over Reddit for intermittent periods in some regions in 2019. In July 2025, Reddit began requiring age verification in order to access certain features, to comply with the UK's Online Safety Act 2023, using a service called Persona. Content covered includes sexually explicit material, encouragement of suicide and eating disorders, and expressions of hatred based on race, religion, or sexual orientation. Over the years, Reddit has done multiple pranks and events for April Fools' Day. Since 2013, they have often taken the form of massive social experiments. Noteworthy events include The Button in 2015, which included a global "button" that could only be clicked once per user. It attracted more than a million clicks. 2017's experiment r/place involved making a collaborative pixel art. Millions of users worked together in communities to place pixels one at a time to create a larger canvas. This experiment was very successful and repeated in 2022's April Fools experiment and in 2023. AMAs, or "Ask Me Anything" interviews, during an AMA on r/IAmA and other subreddits, users can ask questions to interviewees. Notable participants include former-United States President Barack Obama (while campaigning for the 2012 election), Bill Gates (multiple times), and Donald Trump (also while campaigning). AMAs have featured CEO Steve Huffman, as well as figures from entertainment industries around the world (including Priyanka Chopra and George Clooney), literature (Margaret Atwood), space (Buzz Aldrin), privacy (Edward Snowden), fictional characters (including Borat and Cookie Monster) and others, such as experts who answered questions about the transgender community. The Atlantic wrote that an AMA "imports the aspirational norms of honesty and authenticity from pseudonymous Internet forums into a public venue". RedditGifts was a program that offers gift exchanges throughout the year. The fan-made RedditGifts site was created in 2009 for a Secret Santa exchange among Reddit users, which has since become the world's largest and set a Guinness World record. In 2009, 4,500 redditors participated. For the 2010 holiday season, 92 countries were involved in the secret Santa program. There were 17,543 participants, and $662,907.60 was collectively spent on gift purchases and shipping costs. In 2014, about 200,000 users from 188 countries participated. Several celebrities have participated in the program, including Bill Gates, Alyssa Milano, and Snoop Dogg. Eventually, the secret Santa program expanded to various other occasions through RedditGifts, which Reddit acquired in 2011. As with most public online forums, Reddit is vulnerable to the use of disruptive or manipulative practices by its members, from sources such as troll farms, click farms and astroturfing. Another example is brigading, notable in the case of Reddit as it is often cited as the origin of the practice and use of the word in this context. Though all of these examples are in some form, against the rules of Reddit's content policy, at least in the case of brigading, they are not always malicious in intent. A notable example is the case of "Mr. Splashy Pants", when organized brigading of another website, by redditors, appears to have been tacitly encouraged by the Reddit administration. In the aftermath, the target of this vote brigading appeared to take it in good humor. Reddit communities occasionally coordinate Reddit-external projects such as skewing polls on other websites, like the 2007 incident when Greenpeace allowed web users to decide the name of a humpback whale it was tracking. Reddit users voted en masse to name the whale "Mister Splashy Pants", and Reddit administrators encouraged the prank by changing the site logo to a whale during the voting. In December of that year, Mister Splashy Pants was announced as the winner of the competition. Criticism and controversies In general, the website grants subreddit moderators discretion in deciding what content is and is not allowed on their subreddits, so long as site-wide rules are not being violated. This relative freedom has allowed for a wide diversity of subreddits to exist, and some of them have attracted controversy. Many of the default subreddits are highly moderated, with the "science" subreddit banning climate change denialism, and the "news" subreddit banning opinion pieces and columns. Reddit has changed its site-wide editorial policies several times, sometimes in reaction to controversies. Reddit has historically been a platform for objectionable but legal content, and in 2011, news media covered the way that jailbait was being shared on the site before the site changed their policies to explicitly ban "suggestive or sexual content featuring minors". Reddit also received controversy over hosting misogynistic content, including the doxing of erotic models and revenge porn. Following some controversial incidents of Internet vigilantism, Reddit introduced a strict rule against the online publication of non-public personally-identifying information (a common internet harassment tool colloquially known as doxxing) via the site. Those who break the rule are subject to a site-wide ban, which can result in the deletion of their user-generated content. Due to Reddit's decentralized moderation, user anonymity, and lack of fact-checking systems, the platform is highly prone to spreading misinformation and disinformation. It has been suggested that those who use Reddit should exercise caution in taking user-created unsourced content as fact. Concerns have been raised in particular about dangerous medical misinformation on the platform. A 2022 study of 300 comments and posts discussing urinary tract infections found that fewer than 1% cited a source for their content, and several contained harmful medical misinformation that may dissuade readers from seeking medical care or lead to dangerous self-medication, such as proposing fasting as a cure for UTIs. Reddit communities exhibit the echo chamber effect, in which repeated unsourced statements come to be accepted among the community as fact, leading to distorted worldviews among users. It has been suggested that since 2019, Russian state-sponsored troll accounts and bots have engaged in a broad campaign to take over subreddits, such as r/antiwar. After the Boston Marathon bombing in April 2013, Reddit faced criticism after users wrongly identified a number of people as suspects in the subreddit r/FindBostonBombers. Notable among misidentified bombing suspects was Sunil Tripathi, a student reported missing before the bombings took place. A body reported to be Sunil's was found in Providence River in Rhode Island on April 25, according to Rhode Island Health Department. The cause of death was not immediately known, but authorities said they did not suspect foul play. The family later confirmed Tripathi's death was a result of suicide. Reddit general manager Erik Martin later issued an apology for this behavior, criticizing the "online witch hunts and dangerous speculation" that took place on the website. The incident was later referenced in the season 5 episode of the CBS TV series The Good Wife titled "Whack-a-Mole", as well as The Newsroom. In August, private sexual photos from the celebrity photo hack were widely disseminated across the site. A dedicated subreddit, "TheFappening", was created for this purpose, and contained links to most if not all of the criminally obtained explicit images. Some images of McKayla Maroney and Liz Lee were identified by redditors and outside commentators as child pornography because the photos were taken when the women were underage. The subreddit was banned on September 6. The scandal led to wider criticisms concerning the website's administration from The Verge and The Daily Dot. After Ellen Pao became CEO in 2014, she was initially a target of criticism by users who objected to the deletion of content critical of herself and her husband. Later on June 10, 2015, Reddit shut down the 150,000-subscriber "fatpeoplehate" subreddit and four others citing issues related to harassment. This move was seen as very controversial; some commenters said that the bans went too far, while others said that the bans did not go far enough. One of the latter complaints concerned a subreddit that was "expressing support" for the perpetrator of the Charleston church shooting. Responding to the accusations of "skewed enforcement", Reddit reaffirmed their commitment to free expression and stated, "There are some subreddits with very little viewership that get highlighted repeatedly for their content, but those are a tiny fraction of the content on the site." On July 2, Reddit began experiencing a series of blackouts as moderators set popular subreddit communities to private, in an event dubbed "AMAgeddon", a portmanteau of AMA ("ask me anything") and Armageddon. This was done in protest of the recent firing of Victoria Taylor, an administrator who helped organize citizen-led interviews with famous people on the popular AMA subreddit. Organizers of the blackout also expressed resentment about the recent severance of the communication between Reddit and the moderators of subreddits. The blackout intensified on July 3 when former community manager David Croach gave an AMA about being fired. Before deleting his posts, he stated that Ellen Pao dismissed him with one year of health coverage when he had cancer and did not recover quickly enough. Following this, a Change.org petition to remove Pao as CEO of Reddit Inc. reached over 200,000 signatures. Pao posted a response on July 3 as well as an extended version of it on July 6 in which she apologized for bad communication and not delivering on promises. She also apologized on behalf of the other administrators and noted that problems already existed over the past several years. On July 10, Pao resigned as CEO and was replaced by former CEO and co-founder Steve Huffman. In August, Steve Huffman introduced a policy which led to the banning of several offensive and sexual communities. Included in the ban was lolicon, to which Huffman referred as "animated CP [child porn]". Some subreddits had also been "quarantined" due to having "highly-offensive or upsetting content" such as r/European, r/swedenyes, r/drawpeople, r/kiketown, r/blackfathers, r/greatapes, and r/whitesarecriminals. In April 2023, Reddit announced its intentions to charge large fees for its application programming interface (API), a feature of the site that has existed for free since 2008, causing an ongoing dispute. The move forced multiple third-party applications to shut down and threatened accessibility applications and moderation tools. On May 31, Apollo developer Christian Selig stated that Reddit's pricing would force him to cease development on the app. The resulting outcry from the Reddit community ultimately led to a planned protest from June 12 to 14 in which moderators for the site would make their communities private or restricted posting. Following the release of an internal memo from Reddit CEO Steve Huffman and defiance from Reddit, some moderators have continued their protest. Alternate forms of protest have emerged in the days following the initial blackout. Upon reopening, users of r/pics, r/gifs, and r/aww voted to exclusively post about comedian John Oliver. Multiple subreddits labeled themselves as not safe for work (NSFW), affecting advertisements and resulting in administrators removing the entire moderation team of some subreddits. The protest has been compared to a strike. /r/place had its third launch on July 20, 2023; however, the launch was heavily protested by users and developers due to the event following the 2023 Reddit API controversy; Reddit CEO Steve Huffman's decision to make it prohibitively expensive for third-party app developers drew widespread condemnation. In February 2017, Reddit banned the alt-right subreddit r/altright for violating its terms of service, more specifically for attempting to share private information about the man who attacked alt-right figure Richard B. Spencer. The forum's users and moderators accused Reddit administrators of having political motivations for the ban. After the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol, Reddit banned the subreddit r/DonaldTrump in response to repeated policy violations and alluding to the potential influence the community had on those who participated in or supported the storming. The move followed similar actions from social media platforms, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok and more. The ban was criticized by those who believed it furthered an agenda and censorship of conservative ideologies. The subreddit had over 52,000 members just before it was banned. In May 2016, CEO Steve Huffman said in an interview at the TNW Conference that, unlike Facebook, which "only knows what [its users are] willing to declare publicly", Reddit knows its users' "dark secrets" at the same time that the website's "values" page was updated regarding its "privacy" section. The video reached the top of the website's main feed. Shortly thereafter, announcements concerning new advertisement content drew criticism on the website. In September, a user named "mormondocuments" released thousands of administrative documents belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an action driven by the ex-Mormon and atheist communities on Reddit. Previously, on April 22, the same user had announced his plans to do so. Church officials commented that the documents did not contain anything confidential. On November 23, Huffman admitted to having replaced his username with the names of r/The_Donald moderators in many insulting comments. He did so by changing insulting comments made towards him and made it appear as if the insult were directed at the moderators of r/The_Donald. On November 24, The Washington Post reported Reddit had banned the "Pizzagate" conspiracy board from their site, stating it violated their policy of posting personal information of others, triggering a wave of criticism from users on r/The_Donald, who felt the ban amounted to censorship. After the forum was banned from Reddit, the words "we don't want witchhunts on our site" now appears on the former page of the Pizzagate subreddit. On November 30, Huffman announced changes to the algorithm of Reddit's r/all page to block "stickied" posts from a number of subreddits, such as r/The_Donald. In the announcement, he also apologized for personally editing posts by users from r/The_Donald, and declared intentions to take actions against "hundreds of the most toxic users" of Reddit and "communities whose users continually cross the line". In March 2018, it was revealed that Huffman had hidden Russian troll activity from users. In February 2019, Chinese company Tencent invested $150 million into Reddit. This resulted in a large backlash from Reddit users, who were worried about potential censorship. Many posts featuring subjects censored in China, such as Tiananmen Square, Tank Man, and Winnie the Pooh, received popularity on Reddit. In late August 2021, more than 70 subreddits went private to protest against COVID-19 misinformation on Reddit, as well as Reddit's refusal to delete subreddits undermining the severity of the pandemic. A 2021 letter from the United States Senate to Reddit CEO Steve Huffman expressed concern about the spread of COVID-19 misinformation on the platform. In January 2025, over 100 Reddit communities banned users from posting links from the X social media site after Elon Musk, its CEO, made an arm gesture at a speech which critics claimed was a Nazi salute. The Verge reported that Musk had "privately pressur[ed]" the CEO of Reddit Steve Huffman to moderate content critical of him and the Trump administration, and that after their exchange, Reddit took action and temporarily banned r/WhitePeopleTwitter due to "policy violations". On March 5, 2025, Reddit announced that they will be issuing warnings to users who upvote "violent content", and "may consider" taking other actions against the users. The Verge reported two days later that Reddit's automatic moderation tool has been flagging the word "Luigi" as "potentially violent", including in comments or context unrelated to Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO. The moderator of r/popculture, a subreddit with over 125,000 members, stated that Reddit's AutoModerator system flagged a comment about Nintendo video game Luigi's Mansion because it included the word "Luigi", and instructed them to "check for violence"; other comments that mentioned "Luigi", even in non-violent context, were also flagged. On July 12, 2018, the creator and head moderator of the GamerGate subreddit, r/KotakuInAction, removed all of the moderators and set the forum to private, alleging it to have become "infested with racism and sexism". A Reddit employee restored the forum and its moderators an hour later. During the George Floyd protests in early June 2020, over 800 moderators signed an open letter demanding a policy banning hate speech, a shutdown of racist and sexist subreddits, and more employee support for moderation. Bloomberg News pointed out the company's slow reaction to r/watchpeopledie, a subreddit dedicated to videos of people dying in accidents and other situations, and the harassment that accompanied new unmoderated features like icons for purchase and public chats. On June 29, 2020, Reddit updated its content policy and introduced rules aimed at curbing the presence of communities they believed to be "promoting hate", and banned approximately 2,000 subreddits that were found to be in violation of the new guidelines on the same day. Larger subreddits affected by the bans included r/The_Donald, r/GenderCritical (the platform's largest and most active anti-transgender radical feminist subreddit), and r/ChapoTrapHouse (a far-left subreddit originally created by fans of the podcast Chapo Trap House). Some media outlets and political commentators also condemned the banning of the r/The_Donald and r/ChapoTrapHouse subreddits as a violation of the right to free political expression. A 2025 TIMES article listed Reddit "The Most Xenophobic Social Media Site" after the Anti-Defamation League denounced Reddit for allowing public communities to engage in racism, antisemitism, and routine hate speech without consequence. In February 2013, Betabeat published a post that recognized the influx of multinational corporations like Costco, Taco Bell, Subaru, and McDonald's posting branded content on Reddit that was made to appear as if it was original content from legitimate Reddit users. PAN Communications wrote that marketers want to "infiltrate the reddit community on behalf of their brand," but emphasized that "self-promotion is frowned upon" and Reddit's former director of communications noted that the site is "100 percent organic." She recommended that advertisers design promotions that "spark conversations and feedback." She recommended that businesses use AMAs to get attention for public figures but cautioned "It is important to approach AMAs carefully and be aware that this may not be a fit for every project or client." Nissan ran a successful branded content promotion offering users free gifts to publicize a new car, though the company was later ridiculed for suspected astroturfing when the CEO only answered puff piece questions on the site. Taylor described these situations as "high risk" noting: "We try hard to educate people that they have to treat questions that may seem irreverent or out of left field the same as they would questions about the specific project they are promoting." In March 2021, Reddit users discovered that Aimee Challenor, an English politician who had been suspended from two UK political parties, was hired as an administrator for the site. Her first suspension from the Green Party came for retaining her father as her campaign manager after his arrest on child sexual abuse charges. She was later suspended from the Liberal Democrats after tweets describing pedophilic fantasies were discovered on her partner's Twitter account. Reddit banned a moderator for posting a news article which mentioned Challenor, and some Reddit users alleged that Reddit were removing all mention of Challenor. Many subreddits, including r/Music, which had 27 million subscribers, and 46 other subreddits with over 1 million subscribers, went private in protest. On March 24, Reddit's CEO Steve Huffman said that Challenor had been inadequately vetted before being hired and that Reddit would review its relevant internal processes. Huffman attributed user suspensions to over-indexing on anti-harassment measures. Challenor was also removed from her role as a Reddit admin. The GameStop short squeeze was primarily organized on the subreddit r/wallstreetbets in January 2021. In October 2023, Reddit Moons (a site-specific cryptocurrency launched in May 2020) had seen a surge of value in 2023, at one point in mid-2023 rising past 50 cents per moon, but it crashed by more than 90% after it was announced on October 17 that the token would be "wound down" on November 8, allegedly due to scaling and regulatory issues; Reddit-centric coins DONUT and BRICK also crashed upon the news. In June 2023, The BlackCat hacker gang claimed responsibility for a February 2023 breach of Reddit's systems. On its data leak site, it claimed that it stole 80 GB of compressed data and demanded a $4.5 million ransom from Reddit. This attack did not involve data encryption like typical ransomware campaigns. In September 2024, the Federal Trade Commission released a report summarizing nine company responses (including from Reddit) to orders made by the agency pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914 to provide information about user and non-user data collection (including of children and teenagers) and data use by the companies that found that the companies' user and non-user data practices put individuals vulnerable to identity theft, stalking, unlawful discrimination, emotional distress and mental health issues, social stigma, and reputational harm. In 2025, researchers from the University of Zurich conducted a experiment on the debate subreddit r/changemyview. The researchers deployed AI-run Reddit accounts to pose as humans and actively push desired viewpoints in order to study how AI could influence opinions among human participants. The experiment was run without the consent or knowledge of the subreddit moderators for four months until one of the researchers informed them. Critics of the experiment argued it was unethical as it involved impersonation and involuntarily used Redditors as experiment participants. On December 2025, Reddit filed a lawsuit in an attempt to overturn Australia's social media ban for children, as Australia was one of Reddit's biggest markets, and the ban would prevent people under 16 from accessing the site. See also Notes References Further reading External links
========================================

[SOURCE: https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/חניכיים] \| [TOKENS: 1488]
תוכן עניינים חניכיים חניכיים הן הרקמות הרכות סביב השיניים. החניכיים תוחמות את השיניים ומונעות חיכוך בין המזון המוכנס לפה לבין השיניים. רקמת החניכיים מורכבת מהעצם המכתשית (העצם האלוואולרית, alveolar bone) בלסת, הנושאת את השיניים, ומרירית החניכיים, שהיא הרקמה הרכה המצפה את העצם. לחניכיים בריאות צבע ורוד. לחלק מבני האדם ישנו קרום ברקמת החניכיים בלסת העליונה המתחבר ללחי הפנימית, הידוע כלחי קשורה (באנגלית: Buccal Tie). בריאות החניכיים ברפואת השיניים קיים תחום עיסוק ברפואת חניכיים הנקרא פריודונטיה. תחום זה עוסק בכל הקשור לחניכיים - הרקמה הרכה והעצם האוחזת בשן. כמו כן עוסק תחום זה בשמירה על היגיינת הפה הבסיסית ובתחזוקת הרקמות. רוב מחלות החניכיים נגרמות על ידי חיידקים, אולם נסיגת חניכיים, המלווה בחשיפת שורש השן, עלולה להיגרם גם על ידי גורמים אחרים, כמו גירוי מכני כרוני, למשל בשל צחצוח שיניים אגרסיבי ופירסינג בלשון או בשפה, או טיפול אורתודונטי (יישור שיניים). קיימות מחלות שאינן קשורות בהכרח לחניכיים אך פוגעות גם בהן, כדוגמת מחלת תרומבאסתניה על-שם גלנצמן (הגורמת בין היתר לדימומים בחניכיים). דלקת חניכיים הוא מצב דלקתי של רקמת החניכיים בחלל הפה. ישנם מספר סוגים של מצבי דלקת ברקמת החניכיים. מקובל, שכאשר ישנו מצב דלקתי המוגבל לרקמה הרכה הוא מכונה דלקת (רירית) חניכיים, בעוד מצב המערב את הרקמה הקשה (העצם האלוואולרית) מכונה מחלת חניכיים. קיימת מחלוקת מסוימת באשר לתרומתן הכוללת של דלקות חניכיים כגורם לבאשת הפה. בעוד שחיידקים הגדלים באזורים תת-חניכיים (רובד חיידקים) הם בעלי ריח רע כאשר מסירים אותם, מספר מחקרים הציגו היעדר קשר סטטיסטי בין באשת הפה לבין משתנים המראים על קיום דלקת חניכיים או מחלת חניכיים. ראו גם קישורים חיצוניים הערות שוליים
========================================

[SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States#cite_ref-693] \| [TOKENS: 17273]
Contents United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 contiguous states border Canada to the north and Mexico to the south, with the semi-exclave of Alaska in the northwest and the archipelago of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. The United States also asserts sovereignty over five major island territories and various uninhabited islands in Oceania and the Caribbean.[j] It is a megadiverse country, with the world's third-largest land area[c] and third-largest population, exceeding 341 million.[k] Paleo-Indians first migrated from North Asia to North America at least 15,000 years ago, and formed various civilizations. Spanish colonization established Spanish Florida in 1513, the first European colony in what is now the continental United States. British colonization followed with the 1607 settlement of Virginia, the first of the Thirteen Colonies. Enslavement of Africans was practiced in all colonies by 1770 and supplied most of the labor for the Southern Colonies' plantation economy. Clashes with the British Crown began as a civil protest over the illegality of taxation without representation in Parliament and the denial of other English rights. They evolved into the American Revolution, which led to the Declaration of Independence and a society based on universal rights. Victory in the 1775–1783 Revolutionary War brought international recognition of U.S. sovereignty and fueled westward expansion, further dispossessing native inhabitants. As more states were admitted, a North–South division over slavery led the Confederate States of America to declare secession and fight the Union in the 1861–1865 American Civil War. With the United States' victory and reunification, slavery was abolished nationally. By the late 19th century, the U.S. economy outpaced the French, German and British economies combined. As of 1900, the country had established itself as a great power, a status solidified after its involvement in World War I. Following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the U.S. entered World War II. Its aftermath left the U.S. and the Soviet Union as rival superpowers, competing for ideological dominance and international influence during the Cold War. The Soviet Union's collapse in 1991 ended the Cold War, leaving the U.S. as the world's sole superpower. The U.S. federal government is a representative democracy with a president and a constitution that grants separation of powers under three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The United States Congress is a bicameral national legislature composed of the House of Representatives (a lower house based on population) and the Senate (an upper house based on equal representation for each state). Federalism grants substantial autonomy to the 50 states. In addition, 574 Native American tribes have sovereignty rights, and there are 326 Native American reservations. Since the 1850s, the Democratic and Republican parties have dominated American politics. American ideals and values are based on a democratic tradition inspired by the American Enlightenment movement. A developed country, the U.S. ranks high in economic competitiveness, innovation, and higher education. Accounting for over a quarter of nominal global GDP, its economy has been the world's largest since about 1890. It is the wealthiest country, with the highest disposable household income per capita among OECD members, though its wealth inequality is highly pronounced. Shaped by centuries of immigration, the culture of the U.S. is diverse and globally influential. Making up more than a third of global military spending, the country has one of the strongest armed forces and is a designated nuclear state. A member of numerous international organizations, the U.S. plays a major role in global political, cultural, economic, and military affairs. Etymology Documented use of the phrase "United States of America" dates back to January 2, 1776. On that day, Stephen Moylan, a Continental Army aide to General George Washington, wrote a letter to Joseph Reed, Washington's aide-de-camp, seeking to go "with full and ample powers from the United States of America to Spain" to seek assistance in the Revolutionary War effort. The first known public usage is an anonymous essay published in the Williamsburg newspaper The Virginia Gazette on April 6, 1776. Sometime on or after June 11, 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote "United States of America" in a rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, which was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The term "United States" and its initialism "U.S.", used as nouns or as adjectives in English, are common short names for the country. The initialism "USA", a noun, is also common. "United States" and "U.S." are the established terms throughout the U.S. federal government, with prescribed rules.[l] "The States" is an established colloquial shortening of the name, used particularly from abroad; "stateside" is the corresponding adjective or adverb. "America" is the feminine form of the first word of Americus Vesputius, the Latinized name of Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci (1454–1512);[m] it was first used as a place name by the German cartographers Martin Waldseemüller and Matthias Ringmann in 1507.[n] Vespucci first proposed that the West Indies discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492 were part of a previously unknown landmass and not among the Indies at the eastern limit of Asia. In English, the term "America" usually does not refer to topics unrelated to the United States, despite the usage of "the Americas" to describe the totality of the continents of North and South America. History The first inhabitants of North America migrated from Siberia approximately 15,000 years ago, either across the Bering land bridge or along the now-submerged Ice Age coastline. Small isolated groups of hunter-gatherers are said to have migrated alongside herds of large herbivores far into Alaska, with ice-free corridors developing along the Pacific coast and valleys of North America in c. 16,500 – c. 13,500 BCE (c. 18,500 – c. 15,500 BP). The Clovis culture, which appeared around 11,000 BCE, is believed to be the first widespread culture in the Americas. Over time, Indigenous North American cultures grew increasingly sophisticated, and some, such as the Mississippian culture, developed agriculture, architecture, and complex societies. In the post-archaic period, the Mississippian cultures were located in the midwestern, eastern, and southern regions, and the Algonquian in the Great Lakes region and along the Eastern Seaboard, while the Hohokam culture and Ancestral Puebloans inhabited the Southwest. Native population estimates of what is now the United States before the arrival of European colonizers range from around 500,000 to nearly 10 million. Christopher Columbus began exploring the Caribbean for Spain in 1492, leading to Spanish-speaking settlements and missions from what are now Puerto Rico and Florida to New Mexico and California. The first Spanish colony in the present-day continental United States was Spanish Florida, chartered in 1513. After several settlements failed there due to starvation and disease, Spain's first permanent town, Saint Augustine, was founded in 1565. France established its own settlements in French Florida in 1562, but they were either abandoned (Charlesfort, 1578) or destroyed by Spanish raids (Fort Caroline, 1565). Permanent French settlements were founded much later along the Great Lakes (Fort Detroit, 1701), the Mississippi River (Saint Louis, 1764) and especially the Gulf of Mexico (New Orleans, 1718). Early European colonies also included the thriving Dutch colony of New Nederland (settled 1626, present-day New York) and the small Swedish colony of New Sweden (settled 1638 in what became Delaware). British colonization of the East Coast began with the Virginia Colony (1607) and the Plymouth Colony (Massachusetts, 1620). The Mayflower Compact in Massachusetts and the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut established precedents for local representative self-governance and constitutionalism that would develop throughout the American colonies. While European settlers in what is now the United States experienced conflicts with Native Americans, they also engaged in trade, exchanging European tools for food and animal pelts.[o] Relations ranged from close cooperation to warfare and massacres. The colonial authorities often pursued policies that forced Native Americans to adopt European lifestyles, including conversion to Christianity. Along the eastern seaboard, settlers trafficked Africans through the Atlantic slave trade, largely to provide manual labor on plantations. The original Thirteen Colonies[p] that would later found the United States were administered as possessions of the British Empire by Crown-appointed governors, though local governments held elections open to most white male property owners. The colonial population grew rapidly from Maine to Georgia, eclipsing Native American populations; by the 1770s, the natural increase of the population was such that only a small minority of Americans had been born overseas. The colonies' distance from Britain facilitated the entrenchment of self-governance, and the First Great Awakening, a series of Christian revivals, fueled colonial interest in guaranteed religious liberty. Following its victory in the French and Indian War, Britain began to assert greater control over local affairs in the Thirteen Colonies, resulting in growing political resistance. One of the primary grievances of the colonists was the denial of their rights as Englishmen, particularly the right to representation in the British government that taxed them. To demonstrate their dissatisfaction and resolve, the First Continental Congress met in 1774 and passed the Continental Association, a colonial boycott of British goods enforced by local "committees of safety" that proved effective. The British attempt to then disarm the colonists resulted in the 1775 Battles of Lexington and Concord, igniting the American Revolutionary War. At the Second Continental Congress, the colonies appointed George Washington commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, and created a committee that named Thomas Jefferson to draft the Declaration of Independence. Two days after the Second Continental Congress passed the Lee Resolution to create an independent, sovereign nation, the Declaration was adopted on July 4, 1776. The political values of the American Revolution evolved from an armed rebellion demanding reform within an empire to a revolution that created a new social and governing system founded on the defense of liberty and the protection of inalienable natural rights; sovereignty of the people; republicanism over monarchy, aristocracy, and other hereditary political power; civic virtue; and an intolerance of political corruption. The Founding Fathers of the United States, who included Washington, Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison, Thomas Paine, and many others, were inspired by Classical, Renaissance, and Enlightenment philosophies and ideas. Though in practical effect since its drafting in 1777, the Articles of Confederation was ratified in 1781 and formally established a decentralized government that operated until 1789. After the British surrender at the siege of Yorktown in 1781, American sovereignty was internationally recognized by the Treaty of Paris (1783), through which the U.S. gained territory stretching west to the Mississippi River, north to present-day Canada, and south to Spanish Florida. The Northwest Ordinance (1787) established the precedent by which the country's territory would expand with the admission of new states, rather than the expansion of existing states. The U.S. Constitution was drafted at the 1787 Constitutional Convention to overcome the limitations of the Articles. It went into effect in 1789, creating a federal republic governed by three separate branches that together formed a system of checks and balances. George Washington was elected the country's first president under the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights was adopted in 1791 to allay skeptics' concerns about the power of the more centralized government. His resignation as commander-in-chief after the Revolutionary War and his later refusal to run for a third term as the country's first president established a precedent for the supremacy of civil authority in the United States and the peaceful transfer of power. In the late 18th century, American settlers began to expand westward in larger numbers, many with a sense of manifest destiny. The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 from France nearly doubled the territory of the United States. Lingering issues with Britain remained, leading to the War of 1812, which was fought to a draw. Spain ceded Florida and its Gulf Coast territory in 1819. The Missouri Compromise of 1820, which admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, attempted to balance the desire of northern states to prevent the expansion of slavery into new territories with that of southern states to extend it there. Primarily, the compromise prohibited slavery in all other lands of the Louisiana Purchase north of the 36°30′ parallel. As Americans expanded further into territory inhabited by Native Americans, the federal government implemented policies of Indian removal or assimilation. The most significant such legislation was the Indian Removal Act of 1830, a key policy of President Andrew Jackson. It resulted in the Trail of Tears (1830–1850), in which an estimated 60,000 Native Americans living east of the Mississippi River were forcibly removed and displaced to lands far to the west, causing 13,200 to 16,700 deaths along the forced march. Settler expansion as well as this influx of Indigenous peoples from the East resulted in the American Indian Wars west of the Mississippi. During the colonial period, slavery became legal in all the Thirteen colonies, but by 1770 it provided the main labor force in the large-scale, agriculture-dependent economies of the Southern Colonies from Maryland to Georgia. The practice began to be significantly questioned during the American Revolution, and spurred by an active abolitionist movement that had reemerged in the 1830s, states in the North enacted laws to prohibit slavery within their boundaries. At the same time, support for slavery had strengthened in Southern states, with widespread use of inventions such as the cotton gin (1793) having made slavery immensely profitable for Southern elites. The United States annexed the Republic of Texas in 1845, and the 1846 Oregon Treaty led to U.S. control of the present-day American Northwest. Dispute with Mexico over Texas led to the Mexican–American War (1846–1848). After the victory of the U.S., Mexico recognized U.S. sovereignty over Texas, New Mexico, and California in the 1848 Mexican Cession; the cession's lands also included the future states of Nevada, Colorado and Utah. The California gold rush of 1848–1849 spurred a huge migration of white settlers to the Pacific coast, leading to even more confrontations with Native populations. One of the most violent, the California genocide of thousands of Native inhabitants, lasted into the mid-1870s. Additional western territories and states were created. Throughout the 1850s, the sectional conflict regarding slavery was further inflamed by national legislation in the U.S. Congress and decisions of the Supreme Court. In Congress, the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 mandated the forcible return to their owners in the South of slaves taking refuge in non-slave states, while the Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854 effectively gutted the anti-slavery requirements of the Missouri Compromise. In its Dred Scott decision of 1857, the Supreme Court ruled against a slave brought into non-slave territory, simultaneously declaring the entire Missouri Compromise to be unconstitutional. These and other events exacerbated tensions between North and South that would culminate in the American Civil War (1861–1865). Beginning with South Carolina, 11 slave-state governments voted to secede from the United States in 1861, joining to create the Confederate States of America. All other state governments remained loyal to the Union.[q] War broke out in April 1861 after the Confederacy bombarded Fort Sumter. Following the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, many freed slaves joined the Union army. The war began to turn in the Union's favor following the 1863 Siege of Vicksburg and Battle of Gettysburg, and the Confederates surrendered in 1865 after the Union's victory in the Battle of Appomattox Court House. Efforts toward reconstruction in the secessionist South had begun as early as 1862, but it was only after President Lincoln's assassination that the three Reconstruction Amendments to the Constitution were ratified to protect civil rights. The amendments codified nationally the abolition of slavery and involuntary servitude except as punishment for crimes, promised equal protection under the law for all persons, and prohibited discrimination on the basis of race or previous enslavement. As a result, African Americans took an active political role in ex-Confederate states in the decade following the Civil War. The former Confederate states were readmitted to the Union, beginning with Tennessee in 1866 and ending with Georgia in 1870. National infrastructure, including transcontinental telegraph and railroads, spurred growth in the American frontier. This was accelerated by the Homestead Acts, through which nearly 10 percent of the total land area of the United States was given away free to some 1.6 million homesteaders. From 1865 through 1917, an unprecedented stream of immigrants arrived in the United States, including 24.4 million from Europe. Most came through the Port of New York, as New York City and other large cities on the East Coast became home to large Jewish, Irish, and Italian populations. Many Northern Europeans as well as significant numbers of Germans and other Central Europeans moved to the Midwest. At the same time, about one million French Canadians migrated from Quebec to New England. During the Great Migration, millions of African Americans left the rural South for urban areas in the North. Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867. The Compromise of 1877 is generally considered the end of the Reconstruction era, as it resolved the electoral crisis following the 1876 presidential election and led President Rutherford B. Hayes to reduce the role of federal troops in the South. Immediately, the Redeemers began evicting the Carpetbaggers and quickly regained local control of Southern politics in the name of white supremacy. African Americans endured a period of heightened, overt racism following Reconstruction, a time often considered the nadir of American race relations. A series of Supreme Court decisions, including Plessy v. Ferguson, emptied the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments of their force, allowing Jim Crow laws in the South to remain unchecked, sundown towns in the Midwest, and segregation in communities across the country, which would be reinforced in part by the policy of redlining later adopted by the federal Home Owners' Loan Corporation. An explosion of technological advancement, accompanied by the exploitation of cheap immigrant labor, led to rapid economic expansion during the Gilded Age of the late 19th century. It continued into the early 20th, when the United States already outpaced the economies of Britain, France, and Germany combined. This fostered the amassing of power by a few prominent industrialists, largely by their formation of trusts and monopolies to prevent competition. Tycoons led the nation's expansion in the railroad, petroleum, and steel industries. The United States emerged as a pioneer of the automotive industry. These changes resulted in significant increases in economic inequality, slum conditions, and social unrest, creating the environment for labor unions and socialist movements to begin to flourish. This period eventually ended with the advent of the Progressive Era, which was characterized by significant economic and social reforms. Pro-American elements in Hawaii overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy; the islands were annexed in 1898. That same year, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam were ceded to the U.S. by Spain after the latter's defeat in the Spanish–American War. (The Philippines was granted full independence from the U.S. on July 4, 1946, following World War II. Puerto Rico and Guam have remained U.S. territories.) American Samoa was acquired by the United States in 1900 after the Second Samoan Civil War. The U.S. Virgin Islands were purchased from Denmark in 1917. The United States entered World War I alongside the Allies in 1917 helping to turn the tide against the Central Powers. In 1920, a constitutional amendment granted nationwide women's suffrage. During the 1920s and 1930s, radio for mass communication and early television transformed communications nationwide. The Wall Street Crash of 1929 triggered the Great Depression, to which President Franklin D. Roosevelt responded with the New Deal plan of "reform, recovery and relief", a series of unprecedented and sweeping recovery programs and employment relief projects combined with financial reforms and regulations. Initially neutral during World War II, the U.S. began supplying war materiel to the Allies of World War II in March 1941 and entered the war in December after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. Agreeing to a "Europe first" policy, the U.S. concentrated its wartime efforts on Japan's allies Italy and Germany until their final defeat in May 1945. The U.S. developed the first nuclear weapons and used them against the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, ending the war. The United States was one of the "Four Policemen" who met to plan the post-war world, alongside the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and China. The U.S. emerged relatively unscathed from the war, with even greater economic power and international political influence. The end of World War II in 1945 left the U.S. and the Soviet Union as superpowers, each with its own political, military, and economic sphere of influence. Geopolitical tensions between the two superpowers soon led to the Cold War. The U.S. implemented a policy of containment intended to limit the Soviet Union's sphere of influence; engaged in regime change against governments perceived to be aligned with the Soviets; and prevailed in the Space Race, which culminated with the first crewed Moon landing in 1969. Domestically, the U.S. experienced economic growth, urbanization, and population growth following World War II. The civil rights movement emerged, with Martin Luther King Jr. becoming a prominent leader in the early 1960s. The Great Society plan of President Lyndon B. Johnson's administration resulted in groundbreaking and broad-reaching laws, policies and a constitutional amendment to counteract some of the worst effects of lingering institutional racism. The counterculture movement in the U.S. brought significant social changes, including the liberalization of attitudes toward recreational drug use and sexuality. It also encouraged open defiance of the military draft (leading to the end of conscription in 1973) and wide opposition to U.S. intervention in Vietnam, with the U.S. totally withdrawing in 1975. A societal shift in the roles of women was significantly responsible for the large increase in female paid labor participation starting in the 1970s, and by 1985 the majority of American women aged 16 and older were employed. The Fall of Communism and the dissolution of the Soviet Union from 1989 to 1991 marked the end of the Cold War and left the United States as the world's sole superpower. This cemented the United States' global influence, reinforcing the concept of the "American Century" as the U.S. dominated international political, cultural, economic, and military affairs. The 1990s saw the longest recorded economic expansion in American history, a dramatic decline in U.S. crime rates, and advances in technology. Throughout this decade, technological innovations such as the World Wide Web, the evolution of the Pentium microprocessor in accordance with Moore's law, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, the first gene therapy trial, and cloning either emerged in the U.S. or were improved upon there. The Human Genome Project was formally launched in 1990, while Nasdaq became the first stock market in the United States to trade online in 1998. In the Gulf War of 1991, an American-led international coalition of states expelled an Iraqi invasion force that had occupied neighboring Kuwait. The September 11 attacks on the United States in 2001 by the pan-Islamist militant organization al-Qaeda led to the war on terror and subsequent military interventions in Afghanistan and in Iraq. The U.S. housing bubble culminated in 2007 with the Great Recession, the largest economic contraction since the Great Depression. In the 2010s and early 2020s, the United States has experienced increased political polarization and democratic backsliding. The country's polarization was violently reflected in the January 2021 Capitol attack, when a mob of insurrectionists entered the U.S. Capitol and sought to prevent the peaceful transfer of power in an attempted self-coup d'état. Geography The United States is the world's third-largest country by total area behind Russia and Canada.[c] The 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia have a combined area of 3,119,885 square miles (8,080,470 km2). In 2021, the United States had 8% of the Earth's permanent meadows and pastures and 10% of its cropland. Starting in the east, the coastal plain of the Atlantic seaboard gives way to inland forests and rolling hills in the Piedmont plateau region. The Appalachian Mountains and the Adirondack Massif separate the East Coast from the Great Lakes and the grasslands of the Midwest. The Mississippi River System, the world's fourth-longest river system, runs predominantly north–south through the center of the country. The flat and fertile prairie of the Great Plains stretches to the west, interrupted by a highland region in the southeast. The Rocky Mountains, west of the Great Plains, extend north to south across the country, peaking at over 14,000 feet (4,300 m) in Colorado. The supervolcano underlying Yellowstone National Park in the Rocky Mountains, the Yellowstone Caldera, is the continent's largest volcanic feature. Farther west are the rocky Great Basin and the Chihuahuan, Sonoran, and Mojave deserts. In the northwest corner of Arizona, carved by the Colorado River, is the Grand Canyon, a steep-sided canyon and popular tourist destination known for its overwhelming visual size and intricate, colorful landscape. The Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges run close to the Pacific coast. The lowest and highest points in the contiguous United States are in the State of California, about 84 miles (135 km) apart. At an elevation of 20,310 feet (6,190.5 m), Alaska's Denali (also called Mount McKinley) is the highest peak in the country and on the continent. Active volcanoes in the U.S. are common throughout Alaska's Alexander and Aleutian Islands. Located entirely outside North America, the archipelago of Hawaii consists of volcanic islands, physiographically and ethnologically part of the Polynesian subregion of Oceania. In addition to its total land area, the United States has one of the world's largest marine exclusive economic zones spanning approximately 4.5 million square miles (11.7 million km2) of ocean. With its large size and geographic variety, the United States includes most climate types. East of the 100th meridian, the climate ranges from humid continental in the north to humid subtropical in the south. The western Great Plains are semi-arid. Many mountainous areas of the American West have an alpine climate. The climate is arid in the Southwest, Mediterranean in coastal California, and oceanic in coastal Oregon, Washington, and southern Alaska. Most of Alaska is subarctic or polar. Hawaii, the southern tip of Florida and U.S. territories in the Caribbean and Pacific are tropical. The United States receives more high-impact extreme weather incidents than any other country. States bordering the Gulf of Mexico are prone to hurricanes, and most of the world's tornadoes occur in the country, mainly in Tornado Alley. Due to climate change in the country, extreme weather has become more frequent in the U.S. in the 21st century, with three times the number of reported heat waves compared to the 1960s. Since the 1990s, droughts in the American Southwest have become more persistent and more severe. The regions considered as the most attractive to the population are the most vulnerable. The U.S. is one of 17 megadiverse countries containing large numbers of endemic species: about 17,000 species of vascular plants occur in the contiguous United States and Alaska, and over 1,800 species of flowering plants are found in Hawaii, few of which occur on the mainland. The United States is home to 428 mammal species, 784 birds, 311 reptiles, 295 amphibians, and around 91,000 insect species. There are 63 national parks, and hundreds of other federally managed monuments, forests, and wilderness areas, administered by the National Park Service and other agencies. About 28% of the country's land is publicly owned and federally managed, primarily in the Western States. Most of this land is protected, though some is leased for commercial use, and less than one percent is used for military purposes. Environmental issues in the United States include debates on non-renewable resources and nuclear energy, air and water pollution, biodiversity, logging and deforestation, and climate change. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the federal agency charged with addressing most environmental-related issues. The idea of wilderness has shaped the management of public lands since 1964, with the Wilderness Act. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 provides a way to protect threatened and endangered species and their habitats. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service implements and enforces the Act. In 2024, the U.S. ranked 35th among 180 countries in the Environmental Performance Index. Government and politics The United States is a federal republic of 50 states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The U.S. asserts sovereignty over five unincorporated territories and several uninhabited island possessions. It is the world's oldest surviving federation, and its presidential system of federal government has been adopted, in whole or in part, by many newly independent states worldwide following their decolonization. The Constitution of the United States serves as the country's supreme legal document. Most scholars describe the United States as a liberal democracy.[r] Composed of three branches, all headquartered in Washington, D.C., the federal government is the national government of the United States. The U.S. Constitution establishes a separation of powers intended to provide a system of checks and balances to prevent any of the three branches from becoming supreme. The three-branch system is known as the presidential system, in contrast to the parliamentary system where the executive is part of the legislative body. Many countries around the world adopted this aspect of the 1789 Constitution of the United States, especially in the postcolonial Americas. In the U.S. federal system, sovereign powers are shared between three levels of government specified in the Constitution: the federal government, the states, and Indian tribes. The U.S. also asserts sovereignty over five permanently inhabited territories: American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Residents of the 50 states are governed by their elected state government, under state constitutions compatible with the national constitution, and by elected local governments that are administrative divisions of a state. States are subdivided into counties or county equivalents, and (except for Hawaii) further divided into municipalities, each administered by elected representatives. The District of Columbia is a federal district containing the U.S. capital, Washington, D.C. The federal district is an administrative division of the federal government. Indian country is made up of 574 federally recognized tribes and 326 Indian reservations. They hold a government-to-government relationship with the U.S. federal government in Washington and are legally defined as domestic dependent nations with inherent tribal sovereignty rights. In addition to the five major territories, the U.S. also asserts sovereignty over the United States Minor Outlying Islands in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean. The seven undisputed islands without permanent populations are Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Atoll, and Palmyra Atoll. U.S. sovereignty over the unpopulated Bajo Nuevo Bank, Navassa Island, Serranilla Bank, and Wake Island is disputed. The Constitution is silent on political parties. However, they developed independently in the 18th century with the Federalist and Anti-Federalist parties. Since then, the United States has operated as a de facto two-party system, though the parties have changed over time. Since the mid-19th century, the two main national parties have been the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. The former is perceived as relatively liberal in its political platform while the latter is perceived as relatively conservative in its platform. The United States has an established structure of foreign relations, with the world's second-largest diplomatic corps as of 2024[update]. It is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and home to the United Nations headquarters. The United States is a member of the G7, G20, and OECD intergovernmental organizations. Almost all countries have embassies and many have consulates (official representatives) in the country. Likewise, nearly all countries host formal diplomatic missions with the United States, except Iran, North Korea, and Bhutan. Though Taiwan does not have formal diplomatic relations with the U.S., it maintains close unofficial relations. The United States regularly supplies Taiwan with military equipment to deter potential Chinese aggression. Its geopolitical attention also turned to the Indo-Pacific when the United States joined the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue with Australia, India, and Japan. The United States has a "Special Relationship" with the United Kingdom and strong ties with Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Israel, and several European Union countries such as France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Poland. The U.S. works closely with its NATO allies on military and national security issues, and with countries in the Americas through the Organization of American States and the United States–Mexico–Canada Free Trade Agreement. The U.S. exercises full international defense authority and responsibility for Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau through the Compact of Free Association. It has increasingly conducted strategic cooperation with India, while its ties with China have steadily deteriorated. Beginning in 2014, the U.S. had become a key ally of Ukraine. After Donald Trump was elected U.S. president in 2024, he sought to negotiate an end to the Russo-Ukrainian War. He paused all military aid to Ukraine in March 2025, although the aid resumed later. Trump also ended U.S. intelligence sharing with the country, but this too was eventually restored. The president is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces and appoints its leaders, the secretary of defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Department of Defense, headquartered at the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., administers five of the six service branches, which are made up of the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force. The Coast Guard is administered by the Department of Homeland Security in peacetime and can be transferred to the Department of the Navy in wartime. Total strength of the entire military is about 1.3 million active duty with an additional 400,000 in reserve. The United States spent $997 billion on its military in 2024, which is by far the largest amount of any country, making up 37% of global military spending and accounting for 3.4% of the country's GDP. The U.S. possesses 42% of the world's nuclear weapons—the second-largest stockpile after that of Russia. The U.S. military is widely regarded as the most powerful and advanced in the world. The United States has the third-largest combined armed forces in the world, behind the Chinese People's Liberation Army and Indian Armed Forces. The U.S. military operates about 800 bases and facilities abroad, and maintains deployments greater than 100 active duty personnel in 25 foreign countries. The United States has engaged in over 400 military interventions since its founding in 1776, with over half of these occurring between 1950 and 2019 and 25% occurring in the post-Cold War era. State defense forces (SDFs) are military units that operate under the sole authority of a state government. SDFs are authorized by state and federal law but are under the command of the state's governor. By contrast, the 54 U.S. National Guard organizations[t] fall under the dual control of state or territorial governments and the federal government; their units can also become federalized entities, but SDFs cannot be federalized. The National Guard personnel of a state or territory can be federalized by the president under the National Defense Act Amendments of 1933; this legislation created the Guard and provides for the integration of Army National Guard and Air National Guard units and personnel into the U.S. Army and (since 1947) the U.S. Air Force. The total number of National Guard members is about 430,000, while the estimated combined strength of SDFs is less than 10,000. There are about 18,000 U.S. police agencies from local to national level in the United States. Law in the United States is mainly enforced by local police departments and sheriff departments in their municipal or county jurisdictions. The state police departments have authority in their respective state, and federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Marshals Service have national jurisdiction and specialized duties, such as protecting civil rights, national security, enforcing U.S. federal courts' rulings and federal laws, and interstate criminal activity. State courts conduct almost all civil and criminal trials, while federal courts adjudicate the much smaller number of civil and criminal cases that relate to federal law. There is no unified "criminal justice system" in the United States. The American prison system is largely heterogenous, with thousands of relatively independent systems operating across federal, state, local, and tribal levels. In 2025, "these systems hold nearly 2 million people in 1,566 state prisons, 98 federal prisons, 3,116 local jails, 1,277 juvenile correctional facilities, 133 immigration detention facilities, and 80 Indian country jails, as well as in military prisons, civil commitment centers, state psychiatric hospitals, and prisons in the U.S. territories." Despite disparate systems of confinement, four main institutions dominate: federal prisons, state prisons, local jails, and juvenile correctional facilities. Federal prisons are run by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and hold pretrial detainees as well as people who have been convicted of federal crimes. State prisons, run by the department of corrections of each state, hold people sentenced and serving prison time (usually longer than one year) for felony offenses. Local jails are county or municipal facilities that incarcerate defendants prior to trial; they also hold those serving short sentences (typically under a year). Juvenile correctional facilities are operated by local or state governments and serve as longer-term placements for any minor adjudicated as delinquent and ordered by a judge to be confined. In January 2023, the United States had the sixth-highest per capita incarceration rate in the world—531 people per 100,000 inhabitants—and the largest prison and jail population in the world, with more than 1.9 million people incarcerated. An analysis of the World Health Organization Mortality Database from 2010 showed U.S. homicide rates "were 7 times higher than in other high-income countries, driven by a gun homicide rate that was 25 times higher". Economy The U.S. has a highly developed mixed economy that has been the world's largest nominally since about 1890. Its 2024 gross domestic product (GDP)[e] of more than $29 trillion constituted over 25% of nominal global economic output, or 15% at purchasing power parity (PPP). From 1983 to 2008, U.S. real compounded annual GDP growth was 3.3%, compared to a 2.3% weighted average for the rest of the G7. The country ranks first in the world by nominal GDP, second when adjusted for purchasing power parities (PPP), and ninth by PPP-adjusted GDP per capita. In February 2024, the total U.S. federal government debt was $34.4 trillion. Of the world's 500 largest companies by revenue, 138 were headquartered in the U.S. in 2025, the highest number of any country. The U.S. dollar is the currency most used in international transactions and the world's foremost reserve currency, backed by the country's dominant economy, its military, the petrodollar system, its large U.S. treasuries market, and its linked eurodollar. Several countries use it as their official currency, and in others it is the de facto currency. The U.S. has free trade agreements with several countries, including the USMCA. Although the United States has reached a post-industrial level of economic development and is often described as having a service economy, it remains a major industrial power; in 2024, the U.S. manufacturing sector was the world's second-largest by value output after China's. New York City is the world's principal financial center, and its metropolitan area is the world's largest metropolitan economy. The New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, both located in New York City, are the world's two largest stock exchanges by market capitalization and trade volume. The United States is at the forefront of technological advancement and innovation in many economic fields, especially in artificial intelligence; electronics and computers; pharmaceuticals; and medical, aerospace and military equipment. The country's economy is fueled by abundant natural resources, a well-developed infrastructure, and high productivity. The largest trading partners of the United States are the European Union, Mexico, Canada, China, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, India, and Taiwan. The United States is the world's largest importer and second-largest exporter.[u] It is by far the world's largest exporter of services. Americans have the highest average household and employee income among OECD member states, and the fourth-highest median household income in 2023, up from sixth-highest in 2013. With personal consumption expenditures of over $18.5 trillion in 2023, the U.S. has a heavily consumer-driven economy and is the world's largest consumer market. The U.S. ranked first in the number of dollar billionaires and millionaires in 2023, with 735 billionaires and nearly 22 million millionaires. Wealth in the United States is highly concentrated; in 2011, the richest 10% of the adult population owned 72% of the country's household wealth, while the bottom 50% owned just 2%. U.S. wealth inequality increased substantially since the late 1980s, and income inequality in the U.S. reached a record high in 2019. In 2024, the country had some of the highest wealth and income inequality levels among OECD countries. Since the 1970s, there has been a decoupling of U.S. wage gains from worker productivity. In 2016, the top fifth of earners took home more than half of all income, giving the U.S. one of the widest income distributions among OECD countries. There were about 771,480 homeless persons in the U.S. in 2024. In 2022, 6.4 million children experienced food insecurity. Feeding America estimates that around one in five, or approximately 13 million, children experience hunger in the U.S. and do not know where or when they will get their next meal. Also in 2022, about 37.9 million people, or 11.5% of the U.S. population, were living in poverty. The United States has a smaller welfare state and redistributes less income through government action than most other high-income countries. It is the only advanced economy that does not guarantee its workers paid vacation nationally and one of a few countries in the world without federal paid family leave as a legal right. The United States has a higher percentage of low-income workers than almost any other developed country, largely because of a weak collective bargaining system and lack of government support for at-risk workers. The United States has been a leader in technological innovation since the late 19th century and scientific research since the mid-20th century. Methods for producing interchangeable parts and the establishment of a machine tool industry enabled the large-scale manufacturing of U.S. consumer products in the late 19th century. By the early 20th century, factory electrification, the introduction of the assembly line, and other labor-saving techniques created the system of mass production. In the 21st century, the United States continues to be one of the world's foremost scientific powers, though China has emerged as a major competitor in many fields. The U.S. has the highest research and development expenditures of any country and ranks ninth as a percentage of GDP. In 2022, the United States was (after China) the country with the second-highest number of published scientific papers. In 2021, the U.S. ranked second (also after China) by the number of patent applications, and third by trademark and industrial design applications (after China and Germany), according to World Intellectual Property Indicators. In 2025 the United States ranked third (after Switzerland and Sweden) in the Global Innovation Index. The United States is considered to be a world leader in the development of artificial intelligence technology. In 2023, the United States was ranked the second most technologically advanced country in the world (after South Korea) by Global Finance magazine. The United States has maintained a space program since the late 1950s, beginning with the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1958. NASA's Apollo program (1961–1972) achieved the first crewed Moon landing with the 1969 Apollo 11 mission; it remains one of the agency's most significant milestones. Other major endeavors by NASA include the Space Shuttle program (1981–2011), the Voyager program (1972–present), the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes (launched in 1990 and 2021, respectively), and the multi-mission Mars Exploration Program (Spirit and Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance). NASA is one of five agencies collaborating on the International Space Station (ISS); U.S. contributions to the ISS include several modules, including Destiny (2001), Harmony (2007), and Tranquility (2010), as well as ongoing logistical and operational support. The United States private sector dominates the global commercial spaceflight industry. Prominent American spaceflight contractors include Blue Origin, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and SpaceX. NASA programs such as the Commercial Crew Program, Commercial Resupply Services, Commercial Lunar Payload Services, and NextSTEP have facilitated growing private-sector involvement in American spaceflight. In 2023, the United States received approximately 84% of its energy from fossil fuel, and its largest source of energy was petroleum (38%), followed by natural gas (36%), renewable sources (9%), coal (9%), and nuclear power (9%). In 2022, the United States constituted about 4% of the world's population, but consumed around 16% of the world's energy. The U.S. ranks as the second-highest emitter of greenhouse gases behind China. The U.S. is the world's largest producer of nuclear power, generating around 30% of the world's nuclear electricity. It also has the highest number of nuclear power reactors of any country. From 2024, the U.S. plans to triple its nuclear power capacity by 2050. The United States' 4 million miles (6.4 million kilometers) of road network, owned almost entirely by state and local governments, is the longest in the world. The extensive Interstate Highway System that connects all major U.S. cities is funded mostly by the federal government but maintained by state departments of transportation. The system is further extended by state highways and some private toll roads. The U.S. is among the top ten countries with the highest vehicle ownership per capita (850 vehicles per 1,000 people) in 2022. A 2022 study found that 76% of U.S. commuters drive alone and 14% ride a bicycle, including bike owners and users of bike-sharing networks. About 11% use some form of public transportation. Public transportation in the United States is well developed in the largest urban areas, notably New York City, Washington, D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Francisco; otherwise, coverage is generally less extensive than in most other developed countries. The U.S. also has many relatively car-dependent localities. Long-distance intercity travel is provided primarily by airlines, but travel by rail is more common along the Northeast Corridor, the only high-speed rail in the U.S. that meets international standards. Amtrak, the country's government-sponsored national passenger rail company, has a relatively sparse network compared to that of Western European countries. Service is concentrated in the Northeast, California, the Midwest, the Pacific Northwest, and Virginia/Southeast. The United States has an extensive air transportation network. U.S. civilian airlines are all privately owned. The three largest airlines in the world, by total number of passengers carried, are U.S.-based; American Airlines became the global leader after its 2013 merger with US Airways. Of the 50 busiest airports in the world, 16 are in the United States, as well as five of the top 10. The world's busiest airport by passenger volume is Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2022, most of the 19,969 U.S. airports were owned and operated by local government authorities, and there are also some private airports. Some 5,193 are designated as "public use", including for general aviation. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has provided security at most major airports since 2001. The country's rail transport network, the longest in the world at 182,412.3 mi (293,564.2 km), handles mostly freight (in contrast to more passenger-centered rail in Europe). Because they are often privately owned operations, U.S. railroads lag behind those of the rest of the world in terms of electrification. The country's inland waterways are the world's fifth-longest, totaling 25,482 mi (41,009 km). They are used extensively for freight, recreation, and a small amount of passenger traffic. Of the world's 50 busiest container ports, four are located in the United States, with the busiest in the country being the Port of Los Angeles. Demographics The U.S. Census Bureau reported 331,449,281 residents on April 1, 2020,[v] making the United States the third-most-populous country in the world, after India and China. The Census Bureau's official 2025 population estimate was 341,784,857, an increase of 3.1% since the 2020 census. According to the Bureau's U.S. Population Clock, on July 1, 2024, the U.S. population had a net gain of one person every 16 seconds, or about 5400 people per day. In 2023, 51% of Americans age 15 and over were married, 6% were widowed, 10% were divorced, and 34% had never been married. In 2023, the total fertility rate for the U.S. stood at 1.6 children per woman, and, at 23%, it had the world's highest rate of children living in single-parent households in 2019. Most Americans live in the suburbs of major metropolitan areas. The United States has a diverse population; 37 ancestry groups have more than one million members. White Americans with ancestry from Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa form the largest racial and ethnic group at 57.8% of the United States population. Hispanic and Latino Americans form the second-largest group and are 18.7% of the United States population. African Americans constitute the country's third-largest ancestry group and are 12.1% of the total U.S. population. Asian Americans are the country's fourth-largest group, composing 5.9% of the United States population. The country's 3.7 million Native Americans account for about 1%, and some 574 native tribes are recognized by the federal government. In 2024, the median age of the United States population was 39.1 years. While many languages and dialects are spoken in the United States, English is by far the most commonly spoken and written. De facto, English is the official language of the United States, and in 2025, Executive Order 14224 declared English official. However, the U.S. has never had a de jure official language, as Congress has never passed a law to designate English as official for all three federal branches. Some laws, such as U.S. naturalization requirements, nonetheless standardize English. Twenty-eight states and the United States Virgin Islands have laws that designate English as the sole official language; 19 states and the District of Columbia have no official language. Three states and four U.S. territories have recognized local or indigenous languages in addition to English: Hawaii (Hawaiian), Alaska (twenty Native languages),[w] South Dakota (Sioux), American Samoa (Samoan), Puerto Rico (Spanish), Guam (Chamorro), and the Northern Mariana Islands (Carolinian and Chamorro). In total, 169 Native American languages are spoken in the United States. In Puerto Rico, Spanish is more widely spoken than English. According to the American Community Survey (2020), some 245.4 million people in the U.S. age five and older spoke only English at home. About 41.2 million spoke Spanish at home, making it the second most commonly used language. Other languages spoken at home by one million people or more include Chinese (3.40 million), Tagalog (1.71 million), Vietnamese (1.52 million), Arabic (1.39 million), French (1.18 million), Korean (1.07 million), and Russian (1.04 million). German, spoken by 1 million people at home in 2010, fell to 857,000 total speakers in 2020. America's immigrant population is by far the world's largest in absolute terms. In 2022, there were 87.7 million immigrants and U.S.-born children of immigrants in the United States, accounting for nearly 27% of the overall U.S. population. In 2017, out of the U.S. foreign-born population, some 45% (20.7 million) were naturalized citizens, 27% (12.3 million) were lawful permanent residents, 6% (2.2 million) were temporary lawful residents, and 23% (10.5 million) were unauthorized immigrants. In 2019, the top countries of origin for immigrants were Mexico (24% of immigrants), India (6%), China (5%), the Philippines (4.5%), and El Salvador (3%). In fiscal year 2022, over one million immigrants (most of whom entered through family reunification) were granted legal residence. The undocumented immigrant population in the U.S. reached a record high of 14 million in 2023. The First Amendment guarantees the free exercise of religion in the country and forbids Congress from passing laws respecting its establishment. Religious practice is widespread, among the most diverse in the world, and profoundly vibrant. The country has the world's largest Christian population, which includes the fourth-largest population of Catholics. Other notable faiths include Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, New Age, and Native American religions. Religious practice varies significantly by region. "Ceremonial deism" is common in American culture. The overwhelming majority of Americans believe in a higher power or spiritual force, engage in spiritual practices such as prayer, and consider themselves religious or spiritual. In the Southern United States' "Bible Belt", evangelical Protestantism plays a significant role culturally; New England and the Western United States tend to be more secular. Mormonism, a Restorationist movement founded in the U.S. in 1847, is the predominant religion in Utah and a major religion in Idaho. About 82% of Americans live in metropolitan areas, particularly in suburbs; about half of those reside in cities with populations over 50,000. In 2022, 333 incorporated municipalities had populations over 100,000, nine cities had more than one million residents, and four cities—New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston—had populations exceeding two million. Many U.S. metropolitan populations are growing rapidly, particularly in the South and West. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), average U.S. life expectancy at birth reached 79.0 years in 2024, its highest recorded level. This was an increase of 0.6 years over 2023. The CDC attributed the improvement to a significant fall in the number of fatal drug overdoses in the country, noting that "heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States, followed by cancer and unintentional injuries." In 2024, life expectancy at birth for American men rose to 76.5 years (+0.7 years compared to 2023), while life expectancy for women was 81.4 years (+0.3 years). Starting in 1998, life expectancy in the U.S. fell behind that of other wealthy industrialized countries, and Americans' "health disadvantage" gap has been increasing ever since. The Commonwealth Fund reported in 2020 that the U.S. had the highest suicide rate among high-income countries. Approximately one-third of the U.S. adult population is obese and another third is overweight. The U.S. healthcare system far outspends that of any other country, measured both in per capita spending and as a percentage of GDP, but attains worse healthcare outcomes when compared to peer countries for reasons that are debated. The United States is the only developed country without a system of universal healthcare, and a significant proportion of the population that does not carry health insurance. Government-funded healthcare coverage for the poor (Medicaid) and for those age 65 and older (Medicare) is available to Americans who meet the programs' income or age qualifications. In 2010, then-President Obama passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.[x] Abortion in the United States is not federally protected, and is illegal or restricted in 17 states. American primary and secondary education, known in the U.S. as K–12 ("kindergarten through 12th grade"), is decentralized. School systems are operated by state, territorial, and sometimes municipal governments and regulated by the U.S. Department of Education. In general, children are required to attend school or an approved homeschool from the age of five or six (kindergarten or first grade) until they are 18 years old. This often brings students through the 12th grade, the final year of a U.S. high school, but some states and territories allow them to leave school earlier, at age 16 or 17. The U.S. spends more on education per student than any other country, an average of $18,614 per year per public elementary and secondary school student in 2020–2021. Among Americans age 25 and older, 92.2% graduated from high school, 62.7% attended some college, 37.7% earned a bachelor's degree, and 14.2% earned a graduate degree. The U.S. literacy rate is near-universal. The U.S. has produced the most Nobel Prize winners of any country, with 411 (having won 413 awards). U.S. tertiary or higher education has earned a global reputation. Many of the world's top universities, as listed by various ranking organizations, are in the United States, including 19 of the top 25. American higher education is dominated by state university systems, although the country's many private universities and colleges enroll about 20% of all American students. Local community colleges generally offer open admissions, lower tuition, and coursework leading to a two-year associate degree or a non-degree certificate. As for public expenditures on higher education, the U.S. spends more per student than the OECD average, and Americans spend more than all nations in combined public and private spending. Colleges and universities directly funded by the federal government do not charge tuition and are limited to military personnel and government employees, including: the U.S. service academies, the Naval Postgraduate School, and military staff colleges. Despite some student loan forgiveness programs in place, student loan debt increased by 102% between 2010 and 2020, and exceeded $1.7 trillion in 2022. Culture and society The United States is home to a wide variety of ethnic groups, traditions, and customs. The country has been described as having the values of individualism and personal autonomy, as well as a strong work ethic and competitiveness. Voluntary altruism towards others also plays a major role; according to a 2016 study by the Charities Aid Foundation, Americans donated 1.44% of total GDP to charity—the highest rate in the world by a large margin. Americans have traditionally been characterized by a unifying political belief in an "American Creed" emphasizing consent of the governed, liberty, equality under the law, democracy, social equality, property rights, and a preference for limited government. The U.S. has acquired significant hard and soft power through its diplomatic influence, economic power, military alliances, and cultural exports such as American movies, music, video games, sports, and food. The influence that the United States exerts on other countries through soft power is referred to as Americanization. Nearly all present Americans or their ancestors came from Europe, Africa, or Asia (the "Old World") within the past five centuries. Mainstream American culture is a Western culture largely derived from the traditions of European immigrants with influences from many other sources, such as traditions brought by slaves from Africa. More recent immigration from Asia and especially Latin America has added to a cultural mix that has been described as a homogenizing melting pot, and a heterogeneous salad bowl, with immigrants contributing to, and often assimilating into, mainstream American culture. Under the First Amendment to the Constitution, the United States is considered to have the strongest protections of free speech of any country. Flag desecration, hate speech, blasphemy, and lese majesty are all forms of protected expression. A 2016 Pew Research Center poll found that Americans were the most supportive of free expression of any polity measured. Additionally, they are the "most supportive of freedom of the press and the right to use the Internet without government censorship". The U.S. is a socially progressive country with permissive attitudes surrounding human sexuality. LGBTQ rights in the United States are among the most advanced by global standards. The American Dream, or the perception that Americans enjoy high levels of social mobility, plays a key role in attracting immigrants. Whether this perception is accurate has been a topic of debate. While mainstream culture holds that the United States is a classless society, scholars identify significant differences between the country's social classes, affecting socialization, language, and values. Americans tend to greatly value socioeconomic achievement, but being ordinary or average is promoted by some as a noble condition as well. The National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities is an agency of the United States federal government that was established in 1965 with the purpose to "develop and promote a broadly conceived national policy of support for the humanities and the arts in the United States, and for institutions which preserve the cultural heritage of the United States." It is composed of four sub-agencies: Colonial American authors were influenced by John Locke and other Enlightenment philosophers. The American Revolutionary Period (1765–1783) is notable for the political writings of Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Paine, and Thomas Jefferson. Shortly before and after the Revolutionary War, the newspaper rose to prominence, filling a demand for anti-British national literature. An early novel is William Hill Brown's The Power of Sympathy, published in 1791. Writer and critic John Neal in the early- to mid-19th century helped advance America toward a unique literature and culture by criticizing predecessors such as Washington Irving for imitating their British counterparts, and by influencing writers such as Edgar Allan Poe, who took American poetry and short fiction in new directions. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Margaret Fuller pioneered the influential Transcendentalism movement; Henry David Thoreau, author of Walden, was influenced by this movement. The conflict surrounding abolitionism inspired writers, like Harriet Beecher Stowe, and authors of slave narratives, such as Frederick Douglass. Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter (1850) explored the dark side of American history, as did Herman Melville's Moby-Dick (1851). Major American poets of the 19th century American Renaissance include Walt Whitman, Melville, and Emily Dickinson. Mark Twain was the first major American writer to be born in the West. Henry James achieved international recognition with novels like The Portrait of a Lady (1881). As literacy rates rose, periodicals published more stories centered around industrial workers, women, and the rural poor. Naturalism, regionalism, and realism were the major literary movements of the period. While modernism generally took on an international character, modernist authors working within the United States more often rooted their work in specific regions, peoples, and cultures. Following the Great Migration to northern cities, African-American and black West Indian authors of the Harlem Renaissance developed an independent tradition of literature that rebuked a history of inequality and celebrated black culture. An important cultural export during the Jazz Age, these writings were a key influence on Négritude, a philosophy emerging in the 1930s among francophone writers of the African diaspora. In the 1950s, an ideal of homogeneity led many authors to attempt to write the Great American Novel, while the Beat Generation rejected this conformity, using styles that elevated the impact of the spoken word over mechanics to describe drug use, sexuality, and the failings of society. Contemporary literature is more pluralistic than in previous eras, with the closest thing to a unifying feature being a trend toward self-conscious experiments with language. Twelve American laureates have won the Nobel Prize in Literature. Media in the United States is broadly uncensored, with the First Amendment providing significant protections, as reiterated in New York Times Co. v. United States. The four major broadcasters in the U.S. are the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), American Broadcasting Company (ABC), and Fox Broadcasting Company (Fox). The four major broadcast television networks are all commercial entities. The U.S. cable television system offers hundreds of channels catering to a variety of niches. In 2021, about 83% of Americans over age 12 listened to broadcast radio, while about 40% listened to podcasts. In the prior year, there were 15,460 licensed full-power radio stations in the U.S. according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Much of the public radio broadcasting is supplied by National Public Radio (NPR), incorporated in February 1970 under the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967. U.S. newspapers with a global reach and reputation include The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and USA Today. About 800 publications are produced in Spanish. With few exceptions, newspapers are privately owned, either by large chains such as Gannett or McClatchy, which own dozens or even hundreds of newspapers; by small chains that own a handful of papers; or, in an increasingly rare situation, by individuals or families. Major cities often have alternative newspapers to complement the mainstream daily papers, such as The Village Voice in New York City and LA Weekly in Los Angeles. The five most-visited websites in the world are Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and ChatGPT—all of them American-owned. Other popular platforms used include X (formerly Twitter) and Amazon. In 2025, the U.S. was the world's second-largest video game market by revenue (after China). In 2015, the U.S. video game industry consisted of 2,457 companies that employed around 220,000 jobs and generated $30.4 billion in revenue. There are 444 game publishers, developers, and hardware companies in California alone. According to the Game Developers Conference (GDC), the U.S. is the top location for video game development, with 58% of the world's game developers based there in 2025. The United States is well known for its theater. Mainstream theater in the United States derives from the old European theatrical tradition and has been heavily influenced by the British theater. By the middle of the 19th century, America had created new distinct dramatic forms in the Tom Shows, the showboat theater and the minstrel show. The central hub of the American theater scene is the Theater District in Manhattan, with its divisions of Broadway, off-Broadway, and off-off-Broadway. Many movie and television celebrities have gotten their big break working in New York productions. Outside New York City, many cities have professional regional or resident theater companies that produce their own seasons. The biggest-budget theatrical productions are musicals. U.S. theater has an active community theater culture. The Tony Awards recognizes excellence in live Broadway theater and are presented at an annual ceremony in Manhattan. The awards are given for Broadway productions and performances. One is also given for regional theater. Several discretionary non-competitive awards are given as well, including a Special Tony Award, the Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre, and the Isabelle Stevenson Award. Folk art in colonial America grew out of artisanal craftsmanship in communities that allowed commonly trained people to individually express themselves. It was distinct from Europe's tradition of high art, which was less accessible and generally less relevant to early American settlers. Cultural movements in art and craftsmanship in colonial America generally lagged behind those of Western Europe. For example, the prevailing medieval style of woodworking and primitive sculpture became integral to early American folk art, despite the emergence of Renaissance styles in England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The new English styles would have been early enough to make a considerable impact on American folk art, but American styles and forms had already been firmly adopted. Not only did styles change slowly in early America, but there was a tendency for rural artisans there to continue their traditional forms longer than their urban counterparts did—and far longer than those in Western Europe. The Hudson River School was a mid-19th-century movement in the visual arts tradition of European naturalism. The 1913 Armory Show in New York City, an exhibition of European modernist art, shocked the public and transformed the U.S. art scene. American Realism and American Regionalism sought to reflect and give America new ways of looking at itself. Georgia O'Keeffe, Marsden Hartley, and others experimented with new and individualistic styles, which would become known as American modernism. Major artistic movements such as the abstract expressionism of Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning and the pop art of Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein developed largely in the United States. Major photographers include Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Steichen, Dorothea Lange, Edward Weston, James Van Der Zee, Ansel Adams, and Gordon Parks. The tide of modernism and then postmodernism has brought global fame to American architects, including Frank Lloyd Wright, Philip Johnson, and Frank Gehry. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan is the largest art museum in the United States and the fourth-largest in the world. American folk music encompasses numerous music genres, variously known as traditional music, traditional folk music, contemporary folk music, or roots music. Many traditional songs have been sung within the same family or folk group for generations, and sometimes trace back to such origins as the British Isles, mainland Europe, or Africa. The rhythmic and lyrical styles of African-American music in particular have influenced American music. Banjos were brought to America through the slave trade. Minstrel shows incorporating the instrument into their acts led to its increased popularity and widespread production in the 19th century. The electric guitar, first invented in the 1930s, and mass-produced by the 1940s, had an enormous influence on popular music, in particular due to the development of rock and roll. The synthesizer, turntablism, and electronic music were also largely developed in the U.S. Elements from folk idioms such as the blues and old-time music were adopted and transformed into popular genres with global audiences. Jazz grew from blues and ragtime in the early 20th century, developing from the innovations and recordings of composers such as W.C. Handy and Jelly Roll Morton. Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington increased its popularity early in the 20th century. Country music developed in the 1920s, bluegrass and rhythm and blues in the 1940s, and rock and roll in the 1950s. In the 1960s, Bob Dylan emerged from the folk revival to become one of the country's most celebrated songwriters. The musical forms of punk and hip hop both originated in the United States in the 1970s. The United States has the world's largest music market, with a total retail value of $15.9 billion in 2022. Most of the world's major record companies are based in the U.S.; they are represented by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Mid-20th-century American pop stars, such as Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, became global celebrities and best-selling music artists, as have artists of the late 20th century, such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey, and of the early 21st century, such as Eminem, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. The United States has the world's largest apparel market by revenue. Apart from professional business attire, American fashion is eclectic and predominantly informal. Americans' diverse cultural roots are reflected in their clothing; however, sneakers, jeans, T-shirts, and baseball caps are emblematic of American styles. New York, with its Fashion Week, is considered to be one of the "Big Four" global fashion capitals, along with Paris, Milan, and London. A study demonstrated that general proximity to Manhattan's Garment District has been synonymous with American fashion since its inception in the early 20th century. A number of well-known designer labels, among them Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford and Calvin Klein, are headquartered in Manhattan. Labels cater to niche markets, such as preteens. New York Fashion Week is one of the most influential fashion shows in the world, and is held twice each year in Manhattan; the annual Met Gala, also in Manhattan, has been called the fashion world's "biggest night". The U.S. film industry has a worldwide influence and following. Hollywood, a district in central Los Angeles, the nation's second-most populous city, is also metonymous for the American filmmaking industry. The major film studios of the United States are the primary source of the most commercially successful movies selling the most tickets in the world. Largely centered in the New York City region from its beginnings in the late 19th century through the first decades of the 20th century, the U.S. film industry has since been primarily based in and around Hollywood. Nonetheless, American film companies have been subject to the forces of globalization in the 21st century, and an increasing number of films are made elsewhere. The Academy Awards, popularly known as "the Oscars", have been held annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences since 1929, and the Golden Globe Awards have been held annually since January 1944. The industry peaked in what is commonly referred to as the "Golden Age of Hollywood", from the early sound period until the early 1960s, with screen actors such as John Wayne and Marilyn Monroe becoming iconic figures. In the 1970s, "New Hollywood", or the "Hollywood Renaissance", was defined by grittier films influenced by French and Italian realist pictures of the post-war period. The 21st century has been marked by the rise of American streaming platforms, which came to rival traditional cinema. Early settlers were introduced by Native Americans to foods such as turkey, sweet potatoes, corn, squash, and maple syrup. Of the most enduring and pervasive examples are variations of the native dish called succotash. Early settlers and later immigrants combined these with foods they were familiar with, such as wheat flour, beef, and milk, to create a distinctive American cuisine. New World crops, especially pumpkin, corn, potatoes, and turkey as the main course are part of a shared national menu on Thanksgiving, when many Americans prepare or purchase traditional dishes to celebrate the occasion. Characteristic American dishes such as apple pie, fried chicken, doughnuts, french fries, macaroni and cheese, ice cream, hamburgers, hot dogs, and American pizza derive from the recipes of various immigrant groups. Mexican dishes such as burritos and tacos preexisted the United States in areas later annexed from Mexico, and adaptations of Chinese cuisine as well as pasta dishes freely adapted from Italian sources are all widely consumed. American chefs have had a significant impact on society both domestically and internationally. In 1946, the Culinary Institute of America was founded by Katharine Angell and Frances Roth. This would become the United States' most prestigious culinary school, where many of the most talented American chefs would study prior to successful careers. The United States restaurant industry was projected at $899 billion in sales for 2020, and employed more than 15 million people, representing 10% of the nation's workforce directly. It is the country's second-largest private employer and the third-largest employer overall. The United States is home to over 220 Michelin star-rated restaurants, 70 of which are in New York City. Wine has been produced in what is now the United States since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in what is now New Mexico in 1628. In the modern U.S., wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84 percent of all U.S. wine. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine-producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France. The classic American diner, a casual restaurant type originally intended for the working class, emerged during the 19th century from converted railroad dining cars made stationary. The diner soon evolved into purpose-built structures whose number expanded greatly in the 20th century. The American fast-food industry developed alongside the nation's car culture. American restaurants developed the drive-in format in the 1920s, which they began to replace with the drive-through format by the 1940s. American fast-food restaurant chains, such as McDonald's, Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Dunkin' Donuts and many others, have numerous outlets around the world. The most popular spectator sports in the U.S. are American football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and ice hockey. Their premier leagues are, respectively, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, and the National Hockey League, All these leagues enjoy wide-ranging domestic media coverage and, except for the MLS, all are considered the preeminent leagues in their respective sports in the world. While most major U.S. sports such as baseball and American football have evolved out of European practices, basketball, volleyball, skateboarding, and snowboarding are American inventions, many of which have become popular worldwide. Lacrosse and surfing arose from Native American and Native Hawaiian activities that predate European contact. The market for professional sports in the United States was approximately $69 billion in July 2013, roughly 50% larger than that of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa combined. American football is by several measures the most popular spectator sport in the United States. Although American football does not have a substantial following in other nations, the NFL does have the highest average attendance (67,254) of any professional sports league in the world. In the year 2024, the NFL generated over $23 billion, making them the most valued professional sports league in the United States and the world. Baseball has been regarded as the U.S. "national sport" since the late 19th century. The most-watched individual sports in the U.S. are golf and auto racing, particularly NASCAR and IndyCar. On the collegiate level, earnings for the member institutions exceed $1 billion annually, and college football and basketball attract large audiences, as the NCAA March Madness tournament and the College Football Playoff are some of the most watched national sporting events. In the U.S., the intercollegiate sports level serves as the main feeder system for professional and Olympic sports, with significant exceptions such as Minor League Baseball. This differs greatly from practices in nearly all other countries, where publicly and privately funded sports organizations serve this function. Eight Olympic Games have taken place in the United States. The 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis, Missouri, were the first-ever Olympic Games held outside of Europe. The Olympic Games will be held in the U.S. for a ninth time when Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Summer Olympics. U.S. athletes have won a total of 2,968 medals (1,179 gold) at the Olympic Games, the most of any country. In other international competition, the United States is the home of a number of prestigious events, including the America's Cup, World Baseball Classic, the U.S. Open, and the Masters Tournament. The U.S. men's national soccer team has qualified for eleven World Cups, while the women's national team has won the FIFA Women's World Cup and Olympic soccer tournament four and five times, respectively. The 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup was hosted by the United States. Its final match was attended by 90,185, setting the world record for largest women's sporting event crowd at the time. The United States hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup and will co-host, along with Canada and Mexico, the 2026 FIFA World Cup. See also Notes References This article incorporates text from a free content work. Licensed under CC BY-SA IGO 3.0 (license statement/permission). Text taken from World Food and Agriculture – Statistical Yearbook 2023, FAO, FAO. External links 40°N 100°W / 40°N 100°W / 40; -100 (United States of America)
========================================

[SOURCE: https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/בנימין_נתניהו#cite_note-150] \| [TOKENS: 76002]
תוכן עניינים בנימין נתניהו בִּנְיָמִין (בִּיבִּי) נְתַנְיָהוּ (נולד ב-21 באוקטובר 1949, כ"ח בתשרי ה'תש"י) הוא פוליטיקאי ומדינאי ישראלי המכהן כראש ממשלת ישראל, כיושב ראש מפלגת "הליכוד" וכשר הפנים בממשלת ישראל (דה פקטו). בשנים 1984–1988 כיהן כשגריר ישראל באו"ם ולאחר מכן הצטרף למפלגת הליכוד והיה חבר הכנסת השתים עשרה וסגן שר החוץ. ב-1993 נבחר ליושב ראש הליכוד. כיהן שש כהונות כראש ממשלה, בשלוש תקופות לא רצופות: בין 1996–1999 בראשות ממשלת ישראל העשרים ושבע; בין 2009–2021 בראשות הממשלה השלושים ושתיים, השלושים ושלוש, השלושים וארבע והשלושים וחמש; ומאז דצמבר 2022 בראשות ממשלת ישראל השלושים ושבע. בנוסף כיהן כשר האוצר, שר הביטחון, שר החוץ, שר התקשורת ותפקידים נוספים, חלקם במקביל לכהונותיו כראש ממשלה. בתקופות בהן לא היה חלק מהממשלה כיהן כראש האופוזיציה, למעט השנים 1999–2002 בהן פרש מהפוליטיקה. כראש ממשלה בסוף שנות התשעים חתם על הסכם חברון והסכם וואי עם הרשות הפלסטינית. כשר האוצר, בין השנים 2003–2005, הוביל נתניהו רפורמות בכלכלה הישראלית ובין היתר קידם הפרטה, הורדת מיסים וקיצוץ בקצבאות הביטוח הלאומי. במהלך כהונתו הרביעית כראש ממשלה, בשנת 2018, הועברה השגרירות האמריקאית לירושלים ובכהונתו החמישית, בספטמבר 2020, נחתמו הסכמי אברהם. כהונה זו התארכה בעקבות המשבר הפוליטי בישראל. במהלך כהונותיו אירעו מבצע עמוד ענן, מבצע צוק איתן, ומבצע שומר החומות. ב-2023 אירע טבח שבעה באוקטובר שהוביל לפרוץ מלחמת חרבות ברזל, וב-2025 תקפה ישראל את איראן במבצע עם כלביא. אירועים בולטים נוספים במהלך כהונותיו כללו את גלי ההסתננות מאפריקה לישראל בין 2005 ל-2013 ובניית מכשול המעבר בגבול ישראל–מצרים, המחאה החברתית ועסקת שליט בשנת 2011, התפרצות מגפת הקורונה בישראל בשנת 2020, קידום "הרפורמה המשפטית" בשנת 2023 והמחאה העממית הנרחבת בעקבותיה. ב-24 במאי 2020 הוגשו נגדו כתבי אישום בעבירות שוחד מרמה והפרת אמונים ומאז מתנהל נגדו משפט פלילי בשלוש פרשיות שונות: תיק 1000, תיק 2000 ותיק 4000. נתניהו הוא ראש הממשלה הישראלי הראשון שמואשם ומנהל משפט פלילי בזמן כהונתו. ב-21 בנובמבר 2024 הודיע בית הדין הפלילי הבין-לאומי (ICC) כי הוציא צווי מעצר נגדו, ונגד שר הביטחון יואב גלנט, בגין פשעי מלחמה ופשעים נגד האנושות ברצועת עזה על רקע מלחמת חרבות ברזל. ראשית חייו, שירותו הצבאי ולימודיו בנימין נתניהו הוא השני מבין שלושת בניהם של צילה (לבית סגל; 1912–2000) ופרופסור בנציון נתניהו (1910–2012) ונקרא על שם אביה של אימו, הפרדסן בנימין סגל. הוא נולד בתל אביב וגדל בירושלים, תחילה בשכונת תלפיות ומ-1955 בקטמון. מקור השם "ביבי" באחד מבני דודיו, בנימין רון. אחותו נהגה לקרוא לו[א] חזור ושוב "בי" כקריאת חזרה הביתה. הכינוי דבק ראשית בבן הדוד, ולאחר מכן בנתניהו. בסוף שנות ה-50 ותחילת ה-60 חייתה המשפחה לסירוגין בישראל ובארצות הברית. הוא החל ללמוד בבית הספר התיכון ליד האוניברסיטה, עד שמשפחתו עברה לארצות הברית בשנת 1963, בעקבות עבודתו של אביו. המשפחה גרה בצ'לטנהם, פרוור של פילדלפיה שבפנסילבניה, שם למד נתניהו בבית הספר התיכון המקומי והיה פעיל במועדון הדיבייט. בסיום לימודיו בתיכון, שב נתניהו לבדו לישראל ב-1967 כדי להתגייס לצה"ל, בעוד שמשפחתו נשארה בארצות הברית במשך שנתיים נוספות. הוא שירת בסיירת מטכ"ל, שבה שירת גם אחיו יונתן ובהמשך גם אחיו עדו. הוא עבר מסלול הכשרה כלוחם וכמפקד כיתה תחת פיקודו של עמירם לוין והשתתף בפעולות מיוחדות בעומק קווי האויב. בין היתר, השתתף במבצע תשורה, במבצע תופת ובמבצע בולמוס 4 במהלך מלחמת ההתשה. במהלך המבצע האחרון הוא כמעט טבע, לאחר שהצבא המצרי פתח באש על כוח של היחידה עם שייטת 13, בעת צליחת תעלת סואץ על גבי סירות גומי לעבר הגדה המערבית, שהייתה בשליטת כוחות מצריים. בהמשך, סיים קורס קציני חי"ר בהצטיינות ומונה למפקד צוות ביחידה. כמפקד צוות השתתף נתניהו, בין היתר, במבצע ההשתלטות על מטוס "סבנה", שעליו פיקד מפקד היחידה, אהוד ברק. נתניהו נפצע בפעולה זו מפליטת כדור של חברו ליחידה. בפעם אחרת, בחזרה מפעולה סודית בסוריה, נתקע הצוות שעליו פיקד בדרך והלוחמים סבלו מתשישות ומקור. מפקד פלגתו, עוזי דיין, חש לעזרתם וחילץ אותם. בקיץ 1972 השתחרר נתניהו מצה"ל בדרגת סרן. לאחר שחרורו מצה"ל חזר נתניהו לארצות הברית והתחיל את לימודיו באוניברסיטת MIT שבמסצ'וסטס. עם פרוץ מלחמת יום הכיפורים באוקטובר 1973, שב לישראל כדי להשתתף במלחמה. הוא הצטרף לקבוצה מאולתרת של "חוזרים" מהיחידה, ששמרה על חניוני הקרב הליליים של הטנקים בחזית הדרום, ובשבוע השני לחזרתו הועבר למשימה דומה בחזית הצפון. לפי דיווחים, נראה כי פיקד על מבצע של היחידה בצפון. הוא הוסיף לשרת במילואים באותה יחידה לפחות עד 1981. לאחר מלחמת יום כיפור, שב נתניהו ללימודיו בארצות הברית, שם קיבל תואר ראשון באדריכלות (B.S.A.D) מאוניברסיטת MIT ב-1974, ותואר שני במינהל עסקים מבית הספר לניהול MIT סלואן ב-1976. עבודת המוסמך שלו בנושא מחשוב ענף העיתונות הכתובה נכתבה עם זאב צור, בהנחיית לסטר תורו. בנוסף, למד ב־MIT ובאוניברסיטת הרווארד מקצועות במדעי המדינה. במקביל ללימודיו, עבד כשנתיים בחברה לייעוץ עסקי, "בוסטון קונסלטינג גרופ". באותה עת כינה עצמו "בנג'מין ניתאי" או "בן ניתאי". ניתאי היה שם העט שבו אביו חתם לעיתים על מאמריו. ב-1976 שכל את אחיו, יוני נתניהו, שנהרג במהלך מבצע אנטבה, בעת היותו מפקד סיירת מטכ"ל. בסיום לימודיו בשנת 1977 שב נתניהו לישראל. מסוף 1976 ועד 1980 עמד בראש מכון יונתן לחקר הטרור, שערך מספר כנסים בין-לאומיים בנושא הטרור. ב-1980 זכה עם אחיו עדו בפרס ז'בוטינסקי לספרות ולמחקר, בעבור הוצאת מכתבי יוני. בין 1979–1982 עבד כמנהל השיווק של חברת הרהיטים "רים תעשיות". במסגרת פעילותו במכון יונתן לחקר הטרור, הכיר נתניהו מספר פוליטיקאים, בהם השר משה ארנס, שהכניסוֹ לפוליטיקה והמליץ למנותו כציר ישראל בוושינגטון די. סי., תפקיד שמילא בין 1982–1984. לאחר סיום כהונתו של ארנס כשגריר, מילא נתניהו את מקומו, עד למינויו של מאיר רוזן לתפקיד. בין 1984–1988 כיהן נתניהו כשגריר ישראל באו"ם ובלט בהופעותיו בתקשורת העולמית. אחרי שהקונגרס היהודי העולמי חשף את עברו של מזכ"ל האו"ם, קורט ולדהיים, ששירת כקצין בוורמאכט במלחמת העולם השנייה, תבע נתניהו מהאו"ם, במידה רבה של הצלחה, לחשוף מסמכים הקשורים לעברו של ולדהיים ושל פושעי מלחמה נאצים נוספים. ב-1988 הוענק לנתניהו תואר דוקטור לשם כבוד מאוניברסיטת בר-אילן. קריירה פוליטית לקראת הבחירות לכנסת השתים עשרה ב-1988, שב נתניהו לישראל והצטרף למפלגת "הליכוד". הוא זכה במקום החמישי בבחירות המקדימות במרכז תנועת החרות, והוצב במקום התשיעי ברשימת הליכוד, שכללה גם את המפלגה הליברלית הישראלית ואת יגאל הורוביץ. הוא נבחר לחבר הכנסת ה-12, והתמנה לסגנו של שר החוץ משה ארנס, ולאחר מכן של השר דוד לוי. בין לוי ונתניהו לא נוצר שיתוף פעולה וצצו ניצני יריבות שהתעצמו לאחר מכן. כמו בתפקידו באו"ם, גם בתפקיד זה התבלט בהופעותיו התקשורתיות. ב-1991 נמנה נתניהו עם חברי המשלחת הישראלית לוועידת השלום במדריד, בראשות ראש הממשלה יצחק שמיר. לאחר הוועידה, עקב המתח בינו ובין לוי, עבר נתניהו מתפקיד סגן שר החוץ לסגן שר במשרד ראש הממשלה. לקראת הבחירות לכנסת השלוש עשרה, שנערכו ב-1992, הוצב נתניהו במקום השישי ברשימת הליכוד. לאחר מפלת המפלגה בבחירות ופרישתו של שמיר, התמודד ב-1993 בבחירות הפנימיות לראשות המפלגה. במהלך מסע הבחירות הפנימיות, התפרסמה "פרשת הקלטת הלוהטת". בהופעה טלוויזיונית במהדורת מבט לחדשות, טען נתניהו כי "בכיר בליכוד המוקף חבורת פושעים" ניסה לסחוט אותו באמצעות קלטת וידאו המכילה ראיות לבגידתו כביכול באשתו. הרמיזה כלפי דוד לוי ואנשיו על היותם אחראים לפרשה, העמיקה את הקרע בין השניים. הקלטת לא הוצגה מעולם, ולימים התנצל נתניהו על דבריו כלפי לוי. נתניהו גבר בבחירות אלה על דוד לוי, בני בגין ומשה קצב, וזכה ל-52.1% מהקולות (72,705 מתוך 139,522 קולות כשרים). כראש האופוזיציה וכמנהיג הימין, ביקר נתניהו בחריפות את הסכמי אוסלו מ-1993 והזהיר שההסכם יביא לגל טרור כלפי אזרחי מדינת ישראל. הוא ביקר בזירות פיגועי טרור והשתתף בהפגנות ימין, קטנות וגדולות, נגד מדיניות ממשלת רבין. בין הבולטות בהפגנות אלה הייתה הפגנת הימין בכיכר ציון נגד יצחק רבין והסכם אוסלו ב', שנערכה באוקטובר 1995. השתתפותו בהפגנה בצומת רעננה שבה הוצג חבל תלייה ונישא ארון קבורה שעליו הכיתוב "רבין קובר את הציונות", זכתה לפרסום רב. נתניהו טען לאחר מכן שלא ראה את הארון. ב-29 במאי 1996 נערכו הבחירות לכנסת הארבע-עשרה, לפי שיטת הבחירה הישירה. בהתמודדות על תפקיד ראש הממשלה גבר נתניהו על ראש הממשלה המכהן, שמעון פרס, שהחליף את יצחק רבין לאחר הירצחו, ברוב דחוק של כ-29,000 קולות. ניצחונו התקבל בהפתעה בקרב הפרשנים. גם במדגם הטלוויזיה של הערוץ הראשון ניצח פרס את נתניהו בהפרש של 1.4%, וכך גם במניין החלקי של תוצאות האמת במהלך הלילה. לפנות בוקר התהפכו התוצאות לטובת נתניהו. ההסבר שניתן לניצחון זה התבסס על תחושת חוסר ביטחון גוברת בציבור עקב הכישלון במניעת פיגועי התאבדות, לצד הבטחות נתניהו לכבד את הסכמי אוסלו שנחתמו על ידי הממשלה. גם מועד הבחירות המאוחר פעל לרעת פרס, עקב דעיכה מסוימת בהשפעה הרגשית של רצח רבין, ומתן זמן למפלגות היריבות להתארגנות, אותו ניצל נתניהו לאיחוד עם הסיעות המתחרות ל"הליכוד-גשר-צומת". בעימות הטלוויזיוני בין השניים, פרס הופיע עייף ונרגז, מה שפגע בדימויו הציבורי. בנוסף, תנועות ההצבעה בקרב המיעוטים פעלו לטובת הליכוד. בעוד האוכלוסייה הערבית נמנעה מלתמוך בממשלה, על רקע מבצע "ענבי זעם" וההפגזה על כפר קאנא בלבנון, האוכלוסייה החרדית הביעה תמיכה בנתניהו. בלטו במיוחד קמפיין צעירי אגודת חב"ד בישראל במימונו של יוסף גוטניק: "נתניהו. זה טוב ליהודים", והוראת הרב הרב שך, מנהיג הליטאים, להצביע לנתניהו. נתניהו ניצל גל זה ובאמצעות היועץ ארתור פינקלשטיין לקמפיין נגטיבי עם סיסמאות קליטות כמו "פרס יחלק את ירושלים", שהיה אפקטיבי ביצירת ניכור כלפי השמאל בקרב עולים חדשים ומזרחים. ניצחון נתניהו בבחירות הפך אותו בגיל 47 לראש הממשלה הצעיר ביותר בישראל, ולראשון שנולד לאחר קום המדינה בתחומיה. נתניהו כיהן לראשונה כראש ממשלת ישראל מ־18 ביוני 1996 עד ל־6 ביולי 1999. בכהונתו הראשונה כראש ממשלה עסק נתניהו בסכסוך הישראלי-פלסטיני. הוא שמר על הסכמי אוסלו, תוך הצהרה על עיקרון לפיו יקיים התחייבויות לנסיגות רק במקביל לקיום התחייבויותיה של הרשות הפלסטינית. בהתאם לכך, התעכבה מסירת חברון לשליטה פלסטינית, העיר היחידה שטרם נמסרה לפלסטינים בהתאם להסכמי אוסלו ב'. בתחילת ספטמבר 1996 נפגש נתניהו עם יאסר ערפאת במעבר ארז, אולם לא הושגו בפגישה הסכמות. ב-24 בספטמבר 1996 החליט נתניהו על פתיחת מנהרות הכותל בירושלים. בעקבות זאת פרצו מהומות מנהרת הכותל בכל רחבי יהודה ושומרון ובצפון רצועת עזה ובמהלכן נהרגו 17 חיילי צה"ל וכמאה שוטרים ואזרחים פלסטינים. המהומות התפתחו בעקבות פתיחת הפתח הצפוני של מנהרת הכותל בוויה דולורוזה שבמרכז הרובע המוסלמי בירושלים, כשהפלסטינים טענו שישראל חופרת תחת מסגדי הר הבית במטרה לערער אותם. נתניהו הצדיק את האישור שנתן לפתיחת פתח המנהרה בהתאם לחוות דעת של מערכת הביטחון ואמר שהיא מאפשרת "נגיעה בסלע קיומנו". מדובר היה באירוע ביטחוני משמעותי בתקופת כהונתו של נתניהו, הן בשל מספר ההרוגים הגבוה בצד הישראלי והפלסטיני והן בשל המחאות החריפות של ערביי ישראל, כולל שביתה כללית והפרות סדר בערים הערביות ובערים המעורבות, שנפסקו תוך ימים ספורים. בעקבות המהומות קרא נשיא ארצות הברית ביל קלינטון לנתניהו ולערפאת לפסגה בוושינגטון, בהשתתפות חוסיין מלך ירדן. הפסגה סללה את הדרך לחתימת "הסכם חברון" בינואר 1997. בהסכם התחייבה ממשלת נתניהו לסגת מרוב שטחה של העיר חברון, למעט אזור מערת המכפלה ואזורים סמוכים בהם ישנם בתים המאוכלסים בישראלים. כמו כן התחייבה ישראל לקיים שתי נסיגות נוספות שביחד עם הנסיגה מחברון נקראו "שלוש הפעימות". הנסיגה מחברון בוצעה באותו חודש. בקיץ 1997 התרחשו שני פיגועי התאבדות בירושלים, בעקבותיהם הורה נתניהו על התנקשות בח'אלד משעל, ראש הלשכה המדינית של חמאס בירדן. הפעולה לא עלתה יפה וסוכני "המוסד" שביצעו אותה נתפסו. בתמורה לשחרורם, שלחה ישראל תרופת נגד שהצילה את חייו של משעל ושחררה עשרות אסירים פלסטינים, בראשם שייח' אחמד יאסין. קודם לכן החליט נתניהו שלא לדרוש את הסגרתו של מוסא אבו מרזוק, ראש הלשכה המדינית בחמאס שגורש מירדן ונעצר בנחיתתו ארצות הברית, מחשש שמשפטו יעורר את הארגון לחדש את הפיגועים. מספר הפיגועים בתקופת כהונתו של נתניהו היה נמוך משמעותית בהשוואה לשני ראשי הממשלות שלפניו, יצחק רבין ושמעון פרס ולשניים שלאחריו, אהוד ברק ואריאל שרון. בשנת 1999, שנת כהונתו האחרונה של נתניהו, נרצחו 4 אנשים בפיגועים, המספר הנמוך ביותר מאז ראשית האינתיפדה הראשונה ועד 2008. בשלהי כהונתו הקים את המועצה לביטחון לאומי והעמיד בראשותה את האלוף דוד עברי. הקמת המועצה נעשתה בהתאם להמלצה שניתנה במסגרת הפקת לקחים ממלחמת יום הכיפורים ולא הוצאה לפועל על ידי ראשי הממשלות שקדמו לו. לאחר תקופה ארוכה של קיפאון, שבמהלכה דרשו הפלסטינים כי נתניהו יקיים את ההתחייבויות שניתנו בהסכמי אוסלו ובהסכם חברון לנסיגות נוספות, כינס הנשיא קלינטון את ועידת ואי באוקטובר 1998. בוועידה הסכים נתניהו, מלווה באריאל שרון, שהתמנה לשר החוץ שלו במקום דוד לוי שהתפטר, לנסיגה נוספת, שכללה 13% משטחי C שבגדה שהועברו לשטחי A ו-B,‏ 1% ו-12% בהתאמה, ולפתיחת נמל תעופה בין-לאומי ברצועת עזה. בתמורה הבטיחו הפלסטינים לבטל אחת ולתמיד את סעיפי האמנה הפלסטינית הקוראים לחיסול מדינת ישראל. לשם כך התכנסה המועצה הלאומית הפלסטינית בעזה בנוכחות הנשיא קלינטון, אולם לא פורסם נוסח חדש של האמנה שאינו כולל את הסעיפים הקוראים לחיסול ישראל. בטרם הוקדמו הבחירות ביצעה ממשלת נתניהו רק חלק קטן מהנסיגה שלה התחייבה ונתניהו הציג את מדיניותו באומרו: ”יתנו – יקבלו, לא יתנו – לא יקבלו.” תקופה זו התאפיינה בהתמקחויות ארוכות ונסיגות ב"פעימות" של אחוזים בודדים מהשטח בכל פעם. במהלך תקופת כהונתו, חל קיפאון במגעים עם סוריה, אף על פי שידידו רון לאודר, נשלח מטעמו לסוריה. לטענת דניס רוס ומרטין אינדיק, טיוטה שהציג לאודר בשמו של נתניהו לסורים, וזכתה להסכמתם, כללה נסיגה מרמת הגולן לקו על בסיס גבולות 1967, תוך שתוואי הקו המדויק ייקבע לאחר משא ומתן בין הצדדים. לטענת נתניהו, הוא התעקש על כך שקו הגבול יעבור קילומטרים מזרחה יותר. שהיית צה"ל בדרום לבנון המשיכה לגבות קורבנות רבים, בהם: אסון המסוקים (4 בפברואר 1997), מות שלושה קצינים מסיירת צנחנים בהיתקלות באזור הביטחון (23 בפברואר 1997) ואסון השייטת (5 בספטמבר 1997) שבו נהרגו 12 לוחמי שייטת 13 במארב של חזבאללה בלבנון. אסון המסוקים החזיר לסדר היום הציבורי את הפקפוק שבשהיית צה"ל בדרום לבנון והיה הזרז להקמת ארגון ארבע אמהות שפעלו לנסיגה מדרום לבנון. בעקבות נפילת הקצינים הודיע יו"ר מפלגת העבודה, אהוד ברק, על התחייבותו לצאת מלבנון תוך שנה מהיבחרו, עדיף תוך משא ומתן עם סוריה. תגובתו של נתניהו הייתה האשמת ממשלת לבנון באי מוכנות לשאת ולתת על הנסיגה.[דרוש מקור] במהלך שנות כהונתו כראש ממשלה, ואחר כך כשר החוץ, קידם נתניהו את היחסים עם הימין הנוצרי השמרני האמריקני. פעילות זו, שלוותה בידידות אישית חמה בין נתניהו לבין ג'רי פאלוול (אנ') ומנהיגים אחרים מהימין הנוצרי, עוררה ביקורת בישראל ובקרב יהדות ארצות הברית. במהלך תקופת ממשלתו הראשונה של נתניהו, כיהנו שלושה שרי אוצר: דן מרידור, יעקב נאמן ומאיר שטרית – כל אחד למשך פרק זמן של כשנה. הגיבוי שלא נתן לשר האוצר, דן מרידור, בנושא "רצועת האלכסון" הוביל להתפטרות האחרון כעבור שנה מכניסתו לתפקיד. שר החוץ דוד לוי פרש בגלל התנגדותו לצעדים הכלכליים[דרושה הבהרה] שנקט נתניהו בראשית 1998, אך גם בגלל יחסים אישיים רעועים עמו. נתניהו, הדוגל באסכולת שוק חופשי, העלה על נס את ערכי הכלכלה החופשית ואת ההפרטה וחתר לממש תפיסה זו כראש ממשלה. לממשלתו הראשונה היו מספר הישגים כלכליים כמו הורדת האינפלציה והפחתת הגרעון התקציבי. ממשלתו ביצעה הפרטה של חברות ממשלתיות וליברליזציה במטבע החוץ, כולל ביטול "רצועת האלכסון", מהלך שגרם להתפטרותו של דן מרידור מתפקידו כשר האוצר. בנוסף זכורה רפורמה בפנסיה שכללה מעבר מפנסיה תקציבית לפנסיה צוברת, למרבית העובדים החדשים בשירות הציבורי. כמו כן הוספת מפעיל סלולרי שלישי, תחילת שירותי הטלוויזיה בלוויין של חברת "Yes" והוספת חברות לשוק שיחות הטלפון הבין-לאומיות. תקופתו של נתניהו כראש ממשלה לוותה בחילוקי דעות חריפים בציבור וגם יחסיו עם בעלי בריתו הפוליטיים לֻוּוּ לעיתים בחריקות וצרימות. אנשי השמאל ייחסו לו חלק ביצירת האווירה שאפשרה את רצח יצחק רבין. הסכם ואי גרם לאכזבה מצד חלק מאנשי הימין בקואליציה, בעוד שמפלגות השמאל נמנעו מלספק לו רשת ביטחון, בנימוק שהוא מתמהמה ביישום מלא של ההסכם, ובעקבות מתקפה שלו עליהן עם שובו מהוועידה. יש הטוענים כי יחס השמאל כלפיו היה המשך טבעי של האיבה ההיסטורית כלפי מנהיגי הימין ויש הטוענים[דרושה הבהרה] כי התנגדותם אליו גברה בעקבות התרסותיו כלפי השמאל או חלקים ממנו.[ב] עם זאת, זכה נתניהו לאהדה בחוגי החרדים והימין המסורתי. הופעתו התקשורתית המלוטשת הביאה לו תומכים, אך היחסים בינו לבין כלי התקשורת היו עכורים והוא האשים אותה בהתנכלות לו. ההתמרמרות על התנהלותו האישית הובילה לאובדן תמיכת גורמי מרכז בו. מתחים אלה הובילו להקדמת הבחירות לכנסת החמש עשרה ולראשות הממשלה.[דרוש מקור] ב-21 בדצמבר 1998 הצביעה הכנסת בקריאה שלישית על פיזורה ועריכת בחירות טרם סיום תאריך כהונתה המקורי, כמחווה של הבעת אי-אמון בנתניהו, על אף ניסיונותיו למנוע את ההצבעה ולגרום לדחייתה. בבחירות לראשות הממשלה התמודדו נגד נתניהו אהוד ברק, מועמד מפלגת העבודה; יצחק מרדכי, שאותו פיטר נתניהו מתפקיד שר הביטחון, כשגילה כי הוא מתכוון להצטרף למפלגת המרכז ולרוץ נגדו; בני בגין, שעזב את הליכוד והועמד בראש האיחוד הלאומי, ועזמי בשארה. בסופו של דבר פרשו מרדכי, בגין ובשארה מהמרוץ, בגין תמך במועמדותו של נתניהו ואילו מרדכי ובשארה תמכו במועמדותו של ברק, שניצח בסופו של דבר במאי 1999, כשזכה ברוב של 56% מקולות הבוחרים. נתניהו הודה בתבוסתו עוד לפני פרסום התוצאות הסופיות והודיע על נטילת פסק זמן מהפוליטיקה, כשלצידו עומד אריאל שרון, שהוצג כמחליפו בראש הליכוד. לימים תלה נתניהו את כישלונו בקדנציה הראשונה בכך שלא הקים ממשלת אחדות עם בחירתו ושלא שיער עד כמה עמוקים הקרע בעם והטינה שרחש לו השמאל.[דרוש מקור] לאחר שהפסיד בבחירות 1999, פרש נתניהו מהנהגת הליכוד ומחברותו בכנסת. באוגוסט 1999 מונה ליועץ לחברת באטמ תקשורת מתקדמת ולחברת "אלקטריק פיול". עם נפילת ממשלת ברק בסוף שנת 2000, ביטא נתניהו שאיפה לחזור לפוליטיקה. על פי חוק, התפטרות ברק אמורה הייתה להוביל לבחירות לראשות הממשלה בלבד. נתניהו דרש שיתקיימו גם בחירות לכנסת, בנימוק שאחרת לא תתאפשר הקמת ממשלה יציבה. מפלגת ש"ס, שלא רצתה להסתכן בירידת כוחה, סירבה לתמוך בפיזור הכנסת, אך סייעה להעברת חוק שאפשר לנתניהו להתמודד בבחירות המיוחדות לראשות הממשלה. נתניהו החליט שלא להתמודד, החלטה שהובילה לעלייתו המפתיעה לשלטון של אריאל שרון, שנחשב באותה עת ל"בלתי בחיר" ולפופולרי פחות מנתניהו. בטרם מבצע "חומת מגן", תקף נתניהו את הבלגתו של שרון מול הפיגועים וקרא לכניסת צה"ל לערים הפלסטיניות. הוא קרא גם ליצירת הפרדה בין השטחים הפלסטיניים לישראל, אם כי שמר על עמימות לגבי האופן שבו לדעתו צריכה להתבצע הפרדה כזאת. מאוחר יותר, עם פירוק ממשלת האחדות, היה מתומכיה של גדר ההפרדה. בספטמבר 2002 דן הממשל האמריקאי בשאלה האם לפלוש לעיראק. נתניהו הוזמן להעיד בשבועה לגבי הפלישה מול ועדת הפיקוח והרפורמה של בית הנבחרים של ארצות הברית. בעדותו העריך נתניהו כי "אין שאלה לגבי כוונותיו, פעולותיו והתקדמותו של סדאם חוסיין לפיתוח נשק גרעיני" והוסיף אם תמוטטו את שלטונו של סדאם, אני מבטיח כי תהיינה לכך השלכות חיוביות עצומות על האזור כולו. בפועל התברר בעקבות מלחמת עיראק כי בידי עיראק לא היה כל נשק להשמדה המונית, ורבים מעריכים כי השפעת מיטוט שלטון סדאם חוסיין על האזור הייתה שלילית בסך הכול מבחינת ארצות הברית. בסוף שנת 2002 הצטרף נתניהו לממשלת שרון כשר החוץ. הוא התמודד מול שרון על הנהגת הליכוד, אך הפסיד בבחירות הפנימיות בנובמבר בהפרש של 24%. עם כינון ממשלת שרון השנייה בתחילת 2003, הוצע לנתניהו תפקיד שר האוצר. נתניהו, שחפץ בתיק החוץ, סירב תחילה, אך לבסוף קיבל את התפקיד, לאחר שהובטחה לו יד חופשית וגיבוי מצד ראש הממשלה, הבטחה שאכן קוימה במהלך הקדנציה. נתניהו גרס כי עידוד כלכלת שוק יביא לצמיחה כלכלית. במהלך כשנתיים וחצי שבהן כיהן כשר אוצר, ערך רפורמות מרחיקות לכת בתחומים שונים, בעיקר בתחום המיסוי ושוק ההון. הוא הוביל מדיניות קפיטליסטית תקיפה, וקידם יוזמות להפחתת הוצאות הממשלה, קיצוצים נרחבים בתקציבי הרווחה והפרטת חברות ממשלתיות. הוא דיבר רבות על הצורך לקצץ במגזר הציבורי והמשיל את המשק ל"איש הרזה (המגזר הפרטי) הסוחב על גבו את האיש השמן (המגזר הציבורי)". בתחילת כהונתו, האיץ את הרפורמה שהחל בה קודמו, סילבן שלום, להפחתת שיעורי מס ההכנסה. במקביל הרחיב את בסיס המס וביטל פטורים, כולל ביטול הקלות המס לתושבי התנחלויות. באמצע 2004 הוביל מהלך להפחתה הדרגתית בנטל מס ההכנסה ומס החברות (25% לעומת 36%) עד שנת 2010 והפחתת המס השולי המרבי על יחידים (44% לעומת 50%). (מגמה זאת השתנתה בעת כהונתו של נתניהו כראש הממשלה בשנת 2012 – שיעור המס השולי המרבי עלה ל-48% ול-50% בשנת 2013, אולם שיעורי המס להכנסה עד כ-40,000 ש"ח לחודש ירדו במידה ניכרת.) הרפורמה כללה הפחתה של דמי ביטוח לאומי לבעלי שכר נמוך, אך יתר שלביה היטיבו ישירות רק עם בעלי הכנסה בינונית ומעלה. ערכן של נקודות הזיכוי ממס הכנסה הוקפא למשך שנים אחדות. במסגרת תיקון 147 לפקודת מס הכנסה, הועלה שיעור המס מ-15% ל-20% על רווחים ראליים בשוק ההון, לרבות מניות בבורסה וריביות על פיקדונות, והחל משנת 2007 גם על שבח מקרקעין. בתחילת 2004 הוביל קיצוץ במיסים על קשת רחבה של מוצרי צריכה, והקדים בחודשים אחדים את החזרת המע"מ לשיעור של 17%. נתניהו שינה את הקריטריונים לקבלת קצבאות רווחה ("תשלומי העברה") והביא לקיצוץ בקצבאות המוסד לביטוח לאומי. מטרתה של מדיניות זו נועדה, לדבריו, לעודד אנשים החיים מקצבאות לצאת לעבודה. הקיצוץ בקצבת הילדים היה חריף במיוחד והוא התאפשר לנוכח העובדה שהמפלגות החרדיות, שבאופן מסורתי פעלו להגדלת קצבה זו (לדוגמה חוק הלפרט), לא היו חלק מהקואליציה. הקיצוצים בקצבת הילדים פגעו בעיקר במגזרים החרדי והערבי, שבהם שיעור הילודה גבוה יחסית. קיצוצים נוספים בקצבאות פגעו באמהות החד-הוריות, במובטלים ובקשישים ועוררו גל של שביתות במגזר הציבורי ומחאות, כדוגמת זו של ויקי קנפו. במהלך כהונתו, הועברו חברות רבות שהיו בשליטת הממשלה לשליטת גופים פרטיים. ב-2003 הונפקו בבורסה מניות "אל על", ולימים זכתה קבוצת "כנפיים" של האחים דדי ואיזי בורוביץ בשליטה בחברה. בתחילת 2004 מכרה המדינה את מניותיה בחברת הספנות "צים" (50% מהחברה) לחברה לישראל שבשליטת האחים יולי וסמי עופר תמורת כחצי מיליארד ש"ח. המהלך, שכונה על ידי העיתונאי מיקי רוזנטל "עסקת השקשוקה", עורר ביקורת ציבורית רבה, ונכתבה עליו הערה בדו"ח מבקר המדינה. גרעין השליטה בבנק דיסקונט נמכר לקבוצת משקיעים בראשות מתיו ברונפמן, תמורת 1.3 מיליארד ש"ח, כ-80% משווי השוק, על פי מחיר המניות שנסחרו באותה העת בבורסה. חברת התקשורת "בזק" נמכרה לקבוצה בראשות חיים סבן ואייפקס, במחיר הקרוב לשוויה הבורסאי. נתניהו המשיך בניסיונות קודמיו ומחליפיו בתפקיד למכור את גרעין השליטה בבנק לאומי, אך גם בשנת 2008 לא היה הבנק בידיים פרטיות. נתניהו הוביל תוכנית להפיכת נמלי ישראל לתאגידים, במטרה מוצהרת ליצור תחרות ביניהם ולייעלם. הדבר לווה בהסכם שכר עם העובדים, שבו תוגמלו בסכומים גבוהים, ונוסדה חברה ממשלתית עבור כל נמל בישראל. בשנת 2009, כחמש שנים לאחר שהחל נתניהו לפעול להנהגת הרפורמה, וכשלוש שנים לאחר פרישתו מתפקיד שר האוצר, קבע מבקר המדינה כי הרפורמה נכשלה. הוא יזם פתרון למשבר קרנות הפנסיה הגרעוניות, שכלל את הלאמת קרנות הפנסיה ומכירת הקרנות המאוזנות, בעיקר לחברות הביטוח. תוכנית הסיוע אפשרה לקרן פועלי הבניין, שכבר הייתה חדלת פרעון, את תשלום הפנסיה לחבריה. צעד זה לווה בהעלאה ניכרת של הפרשות העמיתים בקרנות הגרעוניות ומעבידיהם וצמצום בזכויות העמיתים. לקראת סוף כהונתו קידם נתניהו רפורמה בשוק ההון באמצעות "ועדת בכר". בהתאם להמלצותיה, שמומשו לאחר כהונתו של נתניהו, נאלצו הבנקים למכור את קופות הגמל ואת קרנות הנאמנות שהיו בבעלותם. נתניהו ספג ביקורת מארגונים חברתיים בשל עלייה גדולה בשיעור העוני וגידול משמעותי במדד האי-שוויון במשק. על-פי דוחות של המוסד לביטוח לאומי, שיעור העוני בין 2002 ל-2004 עלה בכ-10%, ומספר הילדים החיים במשפחות עניות עלה ל-12%. ארגוני רווחה דיווחו על עלייה בדרישת הנזקקים למזון ולתרופות, גם בקרב אזרחים שהשתייכו בעבר למעמד הביניים, בקרב אזרחים עובדים או פנסיונרים. העוני התרחב בעיקר כתוצאה מהקיצוצים בתשלומי הרווחה והקצבאות. לצד הביקורת, בתקופת כהונתו השתפרו באופן משמעותי מדדים כלכליים חשובים של המשק בישראל: בסוף 2002 התקשתה מדינת ישראל לגייס כסף במדינות זרות, מאחר שהחוב הממשלתי גדל באופן ניכר. בדו"ח היציבות הפיננסית של בנק ישראל לשנת 2003 צוין כי שיפור מעמדה של ישראל בשווקים הפיננסיים נבע, בין השאר, מהקמת ממשלה חדשה, יציבה ובעלת תוכנית כלכלית ומהקיצוצים בתקציב (אף שעוד לא באו לידי ביטוי בגירעון של אותה שנה), זאת בנוסף לגורמים כמו השיפור במצב השווקים בעולם, קבלת הערבויות האמריקאיות והשיפור במצב הביטחוני. בשנת 2007 פרסמה מחלקת המחקר של בנק ישראל מאמר שבו נאמר כי מדיניותה המקרו-כלכלית של הממשלה בתקופתם של נתניהו, של אהוד אולמרט ושל אברהם הירשזון שהחליפו, גרמה לשליש מהצמיחה במשק ואילו גורמים חיצוניים, כמו השיפור במצב הביטחוני וצמיחת הסחר העולמי גרמו לשני שלישים מהצמיחה. נתניהו הציג יחס דו-ערכי לתוכנית ההתנתקות. הוא תמך בתוכנית והצביע בעדה בממשלה ובכל הקריאות של חוק ההתנתקות בכנסת. עם זאת בתקשורת הביע הסתייגויות, בפרט לנסיגה מציר פילדלפי והציע עריכת משאל עם, אף כי הצהיר שבמשאל יצביע בעד התכנית. כשעלתה התוכנית בכנסת, הצביע נתניהו בעדה, אך הציב אולטימטום לראש הממשלה שלפיו יתפטר אם לא יבוצע משאל עם. בהמשך נסוג בו מהאולטימטום ותמך בתוכנית על אף שלא התקיים משאל עם. את התנערותו מהאולטימטום שהציב, ייחס להחרפת מצבו הרפואי של יאסר ערפאת. בהמשך שב ותבע קיומו של משאל עם, אך המשיך להצביע יחד עם הממשלה בעד התוכנית בהצבעות שנערכו בנושא בכנסת. ב-7 באוגוסט 2005, ערב ביצוע הפינוי, במהלך ישיבת ממשלה שבה הוחלט על פינוי שלושת היישובים הראשונים, הודיע נתניהו על התפטרותו. הוא נימק את החלטתו להתפטר בחששו שבעזה צפוי לקום "בסיס טרור שיסכן את ביטחון ישראל" ובאומרו ש"רפורמת בכר" בבנקים השלימה את הרפורמות שביקש לערוך במסגרת תפקידו. ב-30 באוגוסט 2005 הודיע נתניהו על כוונתו להגיש את מועמדותו לראשות הליכוד ולראשות הממשלה. אחדים מחברי הכנסת של הליכוד הצהירו על תמיכתם בנתניהו. ימים ספורים לאחר מכן הכריז גם חבר הכנסת עוזי לנדאו על מועמדותו לתפקיד. נתניהו החל לתקוף את אריאל שרון, וטען כי הוא מוביל את הליכוד בדרך שהיא "שמאלה ממרצ". בספטמבר פעל נתניהו, יחד עם לנדאו ונציגי מרכז הליכוד שהתנגדו לדרכו של שרון, להקדמת הבחירות המקדימות לבחירת יושב ראש המפלגה, במטרה להדיח את שרון מתפקידו. ההצעה נדחתה על ידי מרכז הליכוד בהפרש קולות קטן, ונתניהו הצהיר כי ימשיך להתמודד על תפקיד יושב ראש התנועה. בתחילת דצמבר 2005, בעקבות פרישתו של אריאל שרון למפלגה עצמאית בשם "קדימה", הפך נתניהו למועמד המוביל להנהגת הליכוד בבחירות לכנסת השבע עשרה. מולו התמודדו בפריימריז סילבן שלום, ישראל כץ ומשה פייגלין. עוזי לנדאו, שהתמודד בתחילה, הסיר את מועמדותו והודיע על תמיכה בנתניהו, ואילו שאול מופז, שהתמודד בתחילה גם הוא, עבר למפלגת "קדימה". הבחירות הפנימיות נערכו ב-19 בדצמבר 2005, ונתניהו נבחר לראשות המפלגה עם 44% מן הקולות (מול 33% לשלום, 12% לפייגלין ו-9% לכץ). ב-2 במרץ 2006 הצליח נתניהו לאשר במרכז הליכוד כי מעתה המועמדים לכנסת מטעם המפלגה יבחרו בפריימריז פתוחים בין כל חברי התנועה. בכך ניטל למעשה כוחו הפוליטי של מרכז התנועה, שנחשב כשנוא בציבור וכמקור לשחיתות בתנועה[דרוש מקור]. התגובות לצעד זה בעיתונות היו מעורבות, מחד זכה לתשבחות על שנלחם למען טוהר המידות במפלגה, מאידך היו שטענו כי מדובר בתיקון קוסמטי בלבד, בהצביעם על העובדה כי הצעד ננקט לאחר שכבר נבחרה רשימת הליכוד לכנסת ה-17, וכי ניתן יהיה להחזיר את המצב לקדמותו לאחר הבחירות. בפועל לא היה מדובר ב"צעד קוסמטי" והתנהלו פריימריז רחבים בין כל חברי התנועה מאז. הבחירות לכנסת ה-17 הביאו עמן מפלה לליכוד בראשות נתניהו, שזכה ב-12 מנדטים, זאת אף על פי שהמועמד שכנגד היה אהוד אולמרט ולא אריאל שרון ועל אף עליית חמאס ברשות הפלסטינית ונטילת כוחם של חברי המרכז, שנראו כולם כעומדים לחזק את המפלגה. בנאום התבוסה, קשר נתניהו בין מדיניותו הכלכלית, שפגעה בשכבות החלשות, לבין הכישלון בבחירות, אך קבע כי זו הייתה הכרחית למען הצלת המדינה והודיע שימשיך לעמוד בראש התנועה. בכנסת ה-17 כיהן נתניהו כראש האופוזיציה. בנאומים שנשא כראש האופוזיציה ובעקבות מלחמת לבנון השנייה הדגיש את הסכנה הנשקפת מאיראן המתחמשת בפצצת אטום והשווה אותה לגרמניה הנאצית. בשנת 2008 אישרה הכנסת הצעת חוק פרטית של נתניהו שעסקה באיסור השקעה בתאגידים המקיימים קשר עם איראן. ב-14 באוגוסט 2007 נערכו בחירות לראשות הליכוד. יריבו העיקרי של נתניהו במפלגה, סילבן שלום, פרש בהפגנתיות מהמרוץ לראשות המפלגה בשל הקדמת הפריימריז, תוך שהוא משאיר את נתניהו כמועמד עיקרי יחיד מול פעילים עם כוח מועט במפלגה, משה פייגלין ודני דנון. נתניהו זכה ברוב של 72.8% וביסס את מעמדו כמנהיג הליכוד וכמועמד המפלגה לראשות הממשלה בבחירות הבאות. מאוחר יותר פעל נתניהו, באמצעות מקורבו, אופיר אקוניס, לדחיקתו של פייגלין אחורה ברשימת המועמדים למקום ה-36, לאחר שזה נבחר למקום ה-20. ממשלת אולמרט נחלשה לאחר מלחמת לבנון השנייה שנתפסה בציבור ככישלון, ונתניהו דרש הקמת ועדת חקירה ממלכתית לחקר המלחמה. אולמרט נחשד בפלילים והחלו בקיעים בקואליציה שבסופם התפטר. מחליפתו, ציפי ליבני, כשלה בהקמת ממשלה ופוזרה הכנסת. אחד מהנושאים המרכזיים במערכת הבחירות לכנסת השמונה עשרה היה ירי הקסאמים מרצועת עזה על ידי החמאס ובמהלכה היה מבצע עופרת יצוקה. נתניהו הביע את עמדתו שבטווח הרחוק יש להפיל את שלטון חמאס ברצועה ותמך בהמשך המבצע. הקמפיין עצמו כלל ביקורת כלפי לבני וסיסמאות כמו "חזק בביטחון, חזק בכלכלה". ב-3 בפברואר, כשבועיים אחרי תום מבצע "עופרת יצוקה", נפלה באשקלון רקטה. נתניהו בא לבקר בעיר, הבטיח שממשלתו תפעל למוטט את שלטון חמאס ברצועה, ותקף את ממשלת קדימה על כך שלא עשתה זאת. ישראל בכר, שהיה היועץ האסטרטגי של הקמפיין, סיפר בראיון שנתן ב-2020 שהיוזמה להצהרה הייתה שלו, עקב סקרים פנימיים שהראו על התחזקות של ישראל ביתנו ושבתחילה נתניהו לא רצה לומר את הדברים כי הוא לא חשב שהוא יעשה דבר כזה, אולם לבסוף השתכנע. בבחירות לכנסת ה-18 זכה הליכוד בראשותו ב-27 מושבים והיה לסיעה השנייה בגודלה בכנסת אחרי קדימה בראשות ציפי לבני בהפרש של מנדט אחד בלבד. כיוון שלגוש הימני-דתי, שהמליץ להטיל על נתניהו את הרכבת הממשלה, היה רוב בכנסת (65 ח"כים), הנשיא שמעון פרס הטיל עליו להרכיב את הממשלה הבאה. נתניהו הרכיב קואליציה שמורכבת מהליכוד, ישראל ביתנו, מפלגת העבודה, ש"ס, הבית היהודי ויהדות התורה. ב-31 במרץ 2009 החל נתניהו לכהן כראש ממשלת ישראל. הממשלה שהקים כללה 30 שרים ו-9 סגני שרים. ביוני 2009 נשא נתניהו את "נאום בר-אילן", שבמרכזו הביע הסכמה עקרונית להקמת מדינה פלסטינית המותנית בפירוזה, הכרה בישראל כמדינת העם היהודי, ויתור על זכות השיבה. הנאום נישא עשרה ימים לאחר נאומו של הנשיא אובמה בקהיר, והיה קשור למגעים עם ממשל אובמה. באופן כללי, הנאום של נתניהו בבר-אילן נתפס בציבור כתפנית משמעותית ביחס לעמדותיו הקודמות כלפי תהליך השלום. בינואר 2010 החליטה ועדת שרים בראשותו לאמץ את התכנית שהוצעה על ידי מערכת הביטחון והשר לביטחון פנים יצחק אהרונוביץ' להקים מכשול לאורך הגבול עם מצרים בעלות של כמיליארד וחצי ש"ח. על ההחלטה אמר נתניהו "קיבלתי את ההחלטה לסגור את גבולה הדרומי של ישראל למסתננים ולמחבלים... מדובר בהחלטה אסטרטגית כדי להבטיח את אופייה היהודי והדמוקרטי של מדינת ישראל". בעקבות צעד זה פסקה ההסתננות כמעט לגמרי. בתקופה זו החריף המשבר המתמשך ביחסים עם טורקיה, משבר שהחל בעת כהונת ממשלת אולמרט, לאחר מבצע עופרת יצוקה, והחריף בתקופת בעקבות המשט לעזה בסוף מאי 2010. בספטמבר 2010, בעקבות הנאום והמגעים עם הממשל האמריקאי, נתניהו הסכים להיכנס לשיחות ישירות עם הפלסטינים במטרה מוצהרת לפתור את הסכסוך הישראלי-פלסטיני על ידי שתי מדינות לשני עמים ותוך הסתייגויות הנוגעות לחמאס, לחזבאללה ולדרישה להכרה פלסטינית בישראל כמדינת העם היהודי. במקביל, בעקבות לחצים מצד ממשל אובמה נתניהו הקפיא את הבנייה ביהודה ושומרון לתקופה של 10 חודשים. באוגוסט 2011 אירעה הסלמה בדרום הארץ שהחלה מפיגוע קטלני באזור אילת על ידי מחבלים שבאו מעזה דרך סיני, והמשכה במתקפת רקטות מרצועת עזה אל עבר יישובי הדרום. בספטמבר 2011, בנאום באו"ם, דיבר נתניהו בהרחבה על כוונתו של אבו מאזן באותה העת לדרוש מהאו"ם הכרה במדינה פלסטינית ללא משא ומתן עם ישראל. נתניהו קרא למשא ומתן מיידי והדגיש את צורכי הביטחון של ישראל. במקביל, פעל מאחורי הקלעים כדי להשיג רוב במועצת הביטחון של האומות המאוחדות כנגד הכרה במדינה פלסטינית, והבטיח וטו מצד ארצות הברית. חרף פעולות אלו, ב-29 בנובמבר 2012 אישרה העצרת הכללית של האומות המאוחדות ברוב גדול (בהחלטה 67/19 שלה) את ההכרה ברשות הפלסטינית כמדינה משקיפה שאינה חברה מלאה באו"ם. אחד השינויים המרכזיים שהוביל נתניהו מאז שנבחר היה יישום מדיניות הבידול בין הגדה לרצועת עזה, במגמה הפוכה לממשלה הקודמת בראשות אולמרט. נתניהו הבטיח בקמפיין הבחירות למוטט את שלטון חמאס, בפועל בחר להחליש את הרשות הפלסטינית ולחזק אותו. לדידו, הבידול מונע משא ומתן מדיני על הסדר קבע. ב-11 באוקטובר 2011 אישרה הממשלה בראשותו את עסקת שליט מול החמאס - במסגרתה שוחרר גלעד שליט תמורת 1,027 אסירים ביטחוניים פלסטינים. בנובמבר 2012 חיסל צה"ל את אחמד ג'עברי, ראש הזרוע הצבאית של חמאס, בעקבות ירי על הדרום מרצועת עזה. זה היה האות לפתיחת מבצע עמוד ענן, שנועד למנוע ירי רקטות באזור הדרום. לאחר המבצע, אפשר נתניהו את כניסתו של ח'אלד משעל לרצועת עזה. לדברי עוזי ארד, שהיה ראש המטה לביטחון לאומי עד 2011, נתניהו הציע לסוריה, בתיווך אמריקאי, הסכם הכולל נסיגה חלקית מרמת הגולן, תוך השארת רוב היישובים הישראלים ברמה במקומם. לפי ההצעה ירדן תמסור לסוריה שטח זהה בגודלו לשטח רמת הגולן שיוותר בידי ישראל, ותבצע חילופי שטחים גם עם סעודיה. ההצעה זכתה לברכת ירדן אך נדחתה על הסף בידי סוריה. סוגיה נוספת בה עסק נתניהו בכהונה זו היא סוגיית תקיפתם של מתקני הגרעין באיראן. על סוגיית איום הגרעין האיראני החל נתניהו להתריע כבר ב-1993. בפתיחת מושב החורף של הכנסת, ב-31 באוקטובר 2011, אמר נתניהו כי ”איראן גרעינית תהווה איום כבד על המזרח התיכון ועל העולם כולו, וכמובן היא מהווה גם איום ישיר וכבד עלינו”. במהלך כהונתו אירעו חבלות במתקנים ובאישים הקשורים לתוכנית הגרעין האיראנית ולתוכנית טילי השיהאב 3, חלקן יוחסו ל"מוסד", שיחד עם ארגוני הביון של ארצות הברית ובריטניה, החל לפעול באופן חשאי כנגד תוכנית הגרעין האיראנית. ב-27 בספטמבר 2012 נאם נתניהו בפני העצרת הכללית של האו"ם. בנאומו אמר שכאשר איראן תגיע לאורניום מועשר ברמה של 90% תהיה זו נקודת האל-חזור ולכן זהו קו אדום שאין לאפשר לאיראן להגיע אליו. בנוסף לתפקידו כראש הממשלה, נתניהו שימש כ"שר לאסטרטגיה כלכלית". כהונתה של הממשלה החלה בצל המשבר הכלכלי העולמי, שבין השאר גרם לירידה בהכנסות ממסים, ולכן הממשלה העלתה את המיסים בתחילת כהונתה, בניגוד להבטחות ערב הבחירות. ביולי 2010 הועלה גם המס על סיגריות. נתניהו הגיע להבנות עם יו"ר ההסתדרות, עופר עיני, על עסקת חבילה במשק. ישראל הייתה לאחת המדינות היחידות בעולם שהמשק שלה צמח בעת המשבר הכלכלי העולמי. האינפלציה הייתה מינימלית בהשוואה למדינות מובילות. אחוז המובטלים ללא שינוי משמעותי. השקל התחזק מול מטבעות בינלאומיים והחלה קניית עתודות מט"ח לשם מניעת ייסוף. בזמן אמת וברטרוספקטיבה נחקרה המדיניות הכלכלית הישראלית בעת המשבר, בזכות הצלחתה במניעה נרחבת של פגיעה במשק ובכוח הקנייה הישראלי.[דרוש מקור] נתניהו ניסה לקדם רפורמה משמעותית בחוק התכנון והבנייה, במטרה להקל על קבלת אישורי בנייה. הרפורמה אושרה בממשלה, אך בעקבות "פרשת הולילנד", וחששות בנוגע לדרך פעולתן של ועדות מקומיות לתכנון ולבנייה, נתניהו הקפיא את הרפורמה. במאי 2010 הצטרפה מדינת ישראל לארגון לשיתוף פעולה ולפיתוח כלכלי (OECD). ביולי-אוגוסט 2011 פרצה מחאת האוהלים סביב משבר הדיור ויוקר המחיה. בעקבות משא ומתן עם המוחים הקים נתניהו את ועדת טרכטנברג לגיבוש תוכנית לטיפול בנושאים הכלכליים שעלו במחאה, ואימץ את רוב המלצותיה. בעקבות אימוץ ההמלצות, ובהן חינוך חינם מגיל 3, הועלו מיסים כמו המע"מ, מס קנייה על טבק ואלכוהול והועלו שיעורי מס הכנסה ודמי ביטוח לאומי. בשנת 2012 הגיע הגירעון בתקציב המדינה ל-39 מיליארד ש"ח, כפליים מהמתוכנן. גירעון זה הוביל בשנה שלאחר מכן לצורך בהעלאות מיסים נוספות. בהתאם להסכם הקואליציוני, נתניהו לא מינה שר בריאות בממשלתו והעניק את הסמכויות במשרד לסגן השר יעקב ליצמן מיהדות התורה. עתירה של ההסתדרות הרפואית לבג"ץ נגד הסדר זה נדחתה. בתקופה זו היה על הממשלה להתמודד עם הבהלה שגרמה מגפת שפעת החזירים ונתניהו הורה לרכוש חיסונים נגד שפעת החזירים לכל תושבי המדינה. בסופו של דבר התחסנו רק כ-700,000 ישראלים (כ-10%) והמדינה נותרה עם עודף של כ-4.5 מיליון מנות חיסון. בשנת 2010 פרצה השרפה בכרמל בה נספו 44 בני אדם, כ-17,000 איש פונו מבתיהם וקרוב ל-25 קמ"ר (25,000 דונם) ובהם כמה מיליוני עצים עלו באש. שרפה זו הייתה האסון האזרחי הכבד ביותר שהתרחש בישראל עד אותו זמן. בשנת 2011 ביטל נתניהו את ועדת השרים לענייני ביקורת המדינה, שעסקה בין היתר בהחלטות על הקמת ועדות חקירה ממלכתיות והעביר את סמכויותיה לאגף במשרד ראש הממשלה. בינואר 2012 הוקם מטה הסייבר הלאומי במשרד ראש הממשלה, במטרה להפוך את ישראל למובילה עולמית בתחום הסייבר, בהתאם להמלצות ועדה שעמד בראשה האלוף במיל' יצחק בן ישראל. נתניהו הצהיר כי בחזונו באר שבע תהפוך לבירת הסייבר של מדינת ישראל ובהתאם לכך תוקצבו באוניברסיטת באר שבע תוכניות לימודים בתחום והוזמנו חברות בין-לאומיות להקים מרכזי מו"פ סייבר בבאר שבע. בסוף ינואר 2012 התמודד נתניהו בבחירות פנימיות על ראשות הליכוד מול משה פייגלין, שהיה במקום ה-36 ברשימת הליכוד בבחירות 2008, ולא כיהן כחבר-כנסת. נתניהו נבחר לתפקיד, כשהצביעו לו כ-75% מהמתפקדים. באוקטובר 2012 הודיע נתניהו בהודעה מיוחדת על תמיכתו בהקדמת הבחירות לתחילת 2013, מהלך שקודם על ידי הכנסת, ובמקביל איחד יחד עם אביגדור ליברמן את מפלגות "הליכוד" ו"ישראל ביתנו" לרשימה משותפת שכונתה "הליכוד ביתנו" לקראת הבחירות. בבחירות עצמן זכתה הרשימה המשותפת ב-31 מנדטים, ומלאכת הרכבת הממשלה הוטלה על נתניהו. לאחר הבחירות לכנסת ה-19 הקים נתניהו את ממשלתו השלישית. בממשלה זו שימש נתניהו גם כשר החוץ עד לנובמבר 2013. במרץ 2013 ובמסגרת ניסיונות תיווך של נשיא ארצות הברית ברק אובמה - שוחח נתניהו עם ראש ממשלת טורקיה, רג'פ טאיפ ארדואן על השבת היחסים בין המדינות לתיקונם, אחרי שנקלעו למשבר בעקבות אירועי המשט לעזה. נתניהו התנצל על אירועי המשט, ושני המנהיגים הגיעו להסכמות, שבאפריל 2014 נראו כקרובות להבשלה ולחתימה על הסכם, אך בעקבות מבצע צוק איתן, היחסים הדרדרו שוב. במהלך המבצע התבטא ארדואן באופן חריף נגד ישראל, ובטורקיה נערכו הפגנות אלימות כנגד ישראל, ששיאן היה מתקפה כנגד בית השגרירות, שהביאה להחלטה להחזרת משפחות השגרירות לישראל, ופרסום אזהרת מסע לטורקיה. כחלק מיחסי גרמניה–ישראל ויחסי ישראל–מצרים הסכים נתניהו למכירת צוללות מתקדמות מגרמניה למצרים שבשליטת א-סיסי. במרץ 2019 אמר נתניהו שהחליט כך בשל סוד ביטחוני שלא יכול היה לגלות למערכת הביטחון, מלבד ראשי המועצה לביטחון לאומי. בעקבות חטיפת ורצח שלושה נערים יהודים ב-12 ביוני 2014 בידי אנשי חמאס, פתח צה"ל לפתוח במבצע שובו אחים לאיתור החטופים ולפגיעה בתשתיות חמאס ביהודה ושומרון. במסגרת המבצע נעצרו למעלה מ-400 פלסטינים, מרביתם אנשי חמאס, לרבות כ-50 אסירים ששוחררו במהלך עסקת שליט. כמו כן, נחשפו עשרות סליקים תת-קרקעיים באזור חברון ומעבדות חבלה שבהן יוצרו עשרות רימונים ומטענים. ב-8 ביולי 2014 פתח צה"ל במבצע צוק איתן בתגובה לתקיפות החמאס מרצועת עזה. המבצע כלל תקיפות אוויריות וכניסה קרקעית במרחק של כ-3 קילומטרים לרצועת עזה כדי להשמיד מנהרות התקפיות שבנה חמאס. במהלך המבצע ירה חמאס אלפי רקטות ופצצות מרגמה מרצועת עזה לישראל. ב-30 ביולי נחטפו גופותיהם של סמל ראשון אורון שאול ושל סגן הדר גולדין בקרב שג'אעייה, וב-7 באוגוסט נפגש נתניהו עם נשיא הצלב האדום וביקש ממנו לסייע בהשבת גופותיהם. נתניהו הוביל את המבצע במתינות והסכים פעמים רבות להפסקות אש שהוצעו על ידי מצרים וארצות הברית, כאשר כחצי מהשרים בקבינט תמכו בהחרפת המערכה. במהלך המבצע ניכרה מתיחות בין נתניהו לנשיא ארצות הברית, ברק אובמה. בתקשורת דווח כי אובמה דרש מישראל להסכים להפסקת אש ולקבל את טורקיה וקטר כמתווכות בסכסוך ונתניהו סירב, אך אובמה ונתניהו הכחישו את הדיווח. המבצע הסתיים לאחר כשבעה שבועות של לחימה ב-26 באוגוסט, כשאת ההחלטה על הפסקת האש בסיום המבצע קיבל נתניהו עם שר הביטחון, משה יעלון ללא הצבעה בקבינט המדיני-ביטחוני, שבו כנראה לא היה לו רוב. בעקבות המבצע, נתניהו ספג ביקורת ממבקר המדינה על אי הצגה מספקת לקבינט של איום מנהרות התקיפה לפני המבצע. ביולי 2014 חלה עלייה משמעותית במהומות אלימות ופיגועי טרור מצד פלסטינים בירושלים. באוקטובר ונובמבר ביצעו מחבלים פלסטינים פיגועים ששיאם היה הפיגוע בבית הכנסת קהילת בני תורה ובהם נרצחו 6 ישראלים. ב-3 במרץ 2015 נאם נתניהו בפני הקונגרס של ארצות הברית והתריע מפני ההסכם המתגבש בין המעצמות ואיראן, להסדר תוכנית הגרעין האיראנית. בעצם נשיאת הנאום ובתוכן הנאום נכנס נתניהו לעימות גלוי עם נשיא ארצות הברית, ברק אובמה. היה זה נאומו השלישי של נתניהו בפני הקונגרס. על רקע גירעון של 40 מיליארד ש"ח בתקציב המדינה שנוצר בשנת 2012, במהלך כהונתה של הממשלה הקודמת וצפי לגירעון תקציבי חריג של 4.9% בשנת 2013, הביאה הממשלה לאישור הכנסת תקציב שכלל העלאת מיסים, חלקה ב-2013 וחלקה ב-2014. באפריל 2013 אושרה רפורמת השמים הפתוחים שהוזילה את מחירי הטיסות והגדילה את מספר היעדים. בדצמבר של אותה שנה אושר חוק הריכוזיות לפי מסקנות הוועדה להגברת התחרותיות במשק. במאי 2014 הקים נתניהו את הוועדה לבחינת תקציב הביטחון בראשותו של האלוף במילואים יוחנן לוקר, לשם בחינת תקציב הביטחון של מדינת ישראל. הוועדה הגישה את המלצותיה בחודש יוני 2015, בהן שקיפות, צמצום חיילי הקבע ורפורמה בפנסיות. אלה נתקלו בהתנגדות חריפה של מערכת הביטחון בראשותם של שר הביטחון משה יעלון והרמטכ"ל גדי איזנקוט. ב-2 בדצמבר 2014 פיטר נתניהו את השרים יאיר לפיד וציפי לבני ובעקבות זאת פרשו מהממשלה יתר שרי "יש עתיד" והכנסת החליטה על הקדמת הבחירות ל-17 במרץ 2015. נתניהו אמר שהוא עשה זאת משום שלפיד ולבני תכננו "פוטש" שנועד להדיח אותו ולהקים ממשלה חלופית. מאוחר יותר אמר כי עשה זאת בעקבות תמיכתם בחוק "ישראל היום". לימים בספרו "ביבי: סיפור חיי" הביע נתניהו חרטה על שפיטר לשווא את לפיד ולבני "על סמך שמועה קונספירטיבית שמסרו לו זאב אלקין ויעקב ליצמן לפיה השניים מתכננים נגדו פוטש". בבחירות לכנסת העשרים הוביל נתניהו את מפלגתו לזכייה ב-30 מנדטים. בראיון שנתן במהלך מערכת הבחירות, אמר שהמציאות שנוצרה בשנים הקודמות אינה מאפשרת את הקמתה של מדינה פלסטינית. בפוסט שפרסם בדף הפייסבוק שלו כתב נתניהו כי לאחר הבחירות יקים ממשלה עם השותפות הטבעיות של הליכוד ובראשן הבית היהודי, וכי לא ילך לממשלת אחדות עם יצחק הרצוג ולבני, שבניגוד אליו מתנגדים לשמירה על ירושלים מאוחדת ותומכים בוויתור על שטחי יהודה ושומרון ובכניעה ללחצים בין-לאומיים לוויתור על אינטרסים ביטחוניים. ביום הבחירות, כחלק מקמפיין המרצת ההצבעה שאותו הוביל, פרסם סרטון וידאו, שספג ביקורת בישראל ובעולם ובו אמר: ”שלטון הימין בסכנה. המצביעים הערבים נעים בכמויות אדירות לקלפי. עמותות השמאל מביאות אותם באוטובוסים. רבותיי לנו אין V15, יש לנו "צו 8", יש לנו רק אתכם, צאו לקלפי”. לאחר מכן הביע צער על שדבריו פגעו בערביי ישראל, והוסיף שמעשיו כראש ממשלה, "כולל ההשקעות האדירות במגזרי המיעוטים", מוכיחים שלא התכוון לכך. ב-14 במאי 2015, הושבעה ממשלת ישראל ה-34 בראשותו, ממשלה צרה שנשענה על 61 ח"כים. כעבור כשנה, ב-26 במאי 2016, הצטרפה ישראל ביתנו לקואליציה ומניין חבריה עלה ל-66. בממשלה זו כיהן נתניהו גם כשר החוץ וכשר התקשורת והוחלף בפברואר 2017 באופן זמני על ידי צחי הנגבי (ראו להלן). עד סוף 2016 היה השר לשיתוף פעולה אזורי, אז הוחלף על ידי צחי הנגבי. בשנת 2019 נבחר על ידי השבועון "טיים" לאחד ממאה האנשים המשפיעים בעולם. החל מאוקטובר 2015 חלה הסלמה בהיקף הפיגועים על רקע טענה שלפיה ישראל מתכוונת לפגוע במסגד אל-אקצא, והממשלה תגברה את פעילות כוחות הביטחון, החמירה את הענישה על מחבלים ומיידי אבנים והגבירה את הניטור על הרשתות החברתיות המקוונות. גל הטרור דעך בהדרגה עד חודש מרץ, ובסוף חודש יוני עלה שוב מספר הפיגועים, במהלך חודש הרמדאן. בנאום שנשא בוועידת הקונגרס הציוני העולמי ה-37, ב-20 באוקטובר 2015, הזכיר נתניהו את חג' אמין אל-חוסייני ואמר שמלכתחילה היטלר לא תכנן להשמיד את היהודים אלא רק לגרש אותם, אך המופתי אמר לו שאז הם יגיעו לארץ ישראל וייעץ לו לשרוף אותם. דברי נתניהו עוררו ביקורת בישראל ובעולם, בנימוק שיש בהם שכתוב של ההיסטוריה, זילות השואה והסתה. נתניהו הגיב ואמר שמטרתו הייתה להציג את תמיכתו של אל-חוסייני בהשמדת היהודים ולא לטהר את היטלר. על רקע המשך מלחמת האזרחים בסוריה ביצע חיל האוויר הישראלי מאות תקיפות של צה"ל במדינה, במטרה למנוע העברת נשק לחזבאללה ולשבש את ההיאחזות האיראנית בסוריה. המעורבות הרוסית במלחמת האזרחים בסוריה חייבה תיאום בין ישראל לרוסיה ובפרט בין חילות האוויר של שתי המדינות. לשם כך, נפגש נתניהו פעמים אחדות, החל מספטמבר 2015, עם נשיא רוסיה, ולדימיר פוטין. במאי 2016 מינה נתניהו את אביגדור ליברמן כשר הביטחון במקום משה יעלון, שהתפטר מהממשלה ומהכנסת ומתח ביקורת על נתניהו וההנהגה שהפכה "נגררת ומתלהמת". במחאה על השינויים בממשלה התפטר גם אבי גבאי מתפקיד השר להגנת הסביבה. ב-2018 הסכסוך האיראני-ישראלי הפך לעימות ישיר עם החדרת מל"ט מתאבד איראני לתוך ישראל בפברואר וכנגדן תקיפת שדה התעופה T-4 ותקיפת מחסני התחמושת האיראניים בסוריה בידי ישראל בחודש אפריל, מתקפות שבהן נהרגו עשרות חיילים איראניים ממשמרות המהפכה האסלאמית ומיליציות שיעיות. ב-30 באפריל 2018 נשא נתניהו נאום בקריה ובו חשף מידע מארכיון תוכנית הגרעין האיראנית, לפי עשרות אלפי מסמכים וקבצים שהוציא "המוסד" מטהראן ובהם הוכחות שאיראן ניסתה להסתיר את תוכניותיה לפיתוח נשק גרעיני. מטרתו הייתה בין היתר לגרום לביטול הסכם הגרעין עם איראן. במאי ירו מיליציות איראניות 20 טילים לעבר מוצבי צה"ל בחרמון ובתגובה תקף חיל האוויר הישראלי עשרות יעדים איראניים בסוריה. בשנת 2018 חלה הסלמה גם בחזית הדרומית, מול רצועת עזה שבשליטת החמאס. באותה שנה איתר צה"ל שורת מנהרות טרור. החל מחודש מרץ 2018 התמודדה ישראל עם הפרות סדר המוניות על גדר המערכת סביב רצועת עזה בהובלת חמאס. במהומות נהרגו כ-220 פלסטינים, רובם פעילי טרור. במהלך המהומות הועלו באש אלפי דונמים של שדות וחורש בעוטף עזה, באמצעות מאות עפיפוני תבערה, בלוני תבערה ונפץ ורקטות ששיגרו פלסטינים מן הרצועה. בדצמבר 2018 פתח צה"ל בהובלת פיקוד הצפון, חיל ההנדסה הקרבית ואגף המודיעין במבצע מגן צפוני לאיתור וניטרול מנהרות טרור התקפיות שחפר "חזבאללה" לשטח ישראל בגבול ישראל–לבנון. בנובמבר 2019 חיסל צה"ל, במבצע חגורה שחורה, את בהאא אבו אל-עטא, מפקד הגזרה הצפונית של "פלוגות אל-קודס", הזרוע הצבאית של "הג'יהאד האסלאמי הפלסטיני". בתגובה ירה הארגון מאות רקטות לעבר ישראל, וחיל האוויר הפציץ מטרות ברצועת עזה. אחרי ההסלמה בדרום בנובמבר 2018 הגיעה ישראל להפסקת אש עם החמאס. הרשות הפלסטינית בשליטת אבו מאזן סירבה להמשיך לשמש צינור לכספים מקטר עבור החמאס, ונתניהו שלח מכתב ובו ביקש מהקטרים להמשיך ולממן את שלטון חמאס באופן ישיר בסכום של כ-30 מיליון דולר בחודש, בטיעון לפיו העברת הכסף תסייע לשמירה על היציבות האזורית. נתניהו גם ביקש משר האוצר האמריקאי בממשל טראמפ, סטיבן מנוצ'ין, לשלוח מכתב המבטיח לקטרים שהכספים שישלמו למימון החמאס לא ייחשבו מימון לטרור. בראשית 2019 הסביר בישיבת ממשלה את מדיניותו כלפי ארגון חמאס: "מי שרוצה לסכל הקמה של מדינה פלסטינית צריך לתמוך בחיזוק החמאס ובהעברת כסף לחמאס. זה חלק מהאסטרטגיה שלנו – לבדל בין הפלסטינים בעזה לבין הפלסטינים ביהודה ושומרון". נתניהו דאג לשמר את שלטון חמאס ברצועת עזה מתוך תפיסה כי הפילוג הפנים פלסטיני מונע אפשרות להסכם שלום והסדר מדיני עם הפלסטינים. כמחאה על העברת כסף מקטר לחמאס התפטר שר הביטחון אביגדור ליברמן ומפלגת "ישראל ביתנו" בראשותו פרשה מהקואליציה. בשל כך שימש נתניהו ממלא מקום שר הביטחון וממלא מקום שר העלייה והקליטה החל מ-18 בנובמבר 2018 וב־17 בדצמבר 2018 מונה לשר הביטחון אך התפטר מתפקיד זה ב-10 בנובמבר 2019 לשם מינויו של נפתלי בנט. בשנת 2019 קיבל נתניהו התרעה מראש השב"כ נדב ארגמן בנוגע לכך שהזרוע הצבאית של חמאס משתלטת על חלק מהכסף הקטרי. בשנת 2020 אמ"ן ציין כי לפחות ארבעה מיליון דולר מגיע לזרוע הצבאית של החמאס מדי חודש. בפברואר 2019 החלה הקמתו של מכשול עילי בגבול עזה, נתניהו דיבר על הפרויקט בישיבת הממשלה ואמר שהמכשול ימנע חדירת מחבלים. בממשלה זו כיהן נתניהו כשר החוץ עד פברואר 2019. בשלהי כהונת אובמה כנשיא ארצות הברית ובתמיכת ממשלו, התקבלה החלטה 2334 של מועצת הביטחון של האו"ם, הדורשת בעיקר הפסקת בניית התנחלויות "בשטחים הפלסטיניים הכבושים, כולל מזרח ירושלים". בעקבות ההחלטה ננקטו צעדים נגד סנגל, ניו זילנד ואוקראינה והופסקה העברת מימון לחמישה מוסדות של האו"ם, שלדברי נתניהו עוינים במיוחד את מדינת ישראל. נשיא ארצות הברית דונלד טראמפ הודיע על הכרה דיפלומטית של ארצות הברית בירושלים כבירת ישראל והורה על העברת שגרירות ארצות הברית בישראל, מתל אביב לירושלים. בעקבות זאת הודיעו מספר מדינות נוספות על העברת שגרירותן לירושלים. ב-14 במאי 2018 נערך טקס פתיחת שגרירות ארצות הברית בישראל בירושלים. טראמפ פרש מהסכם הגרעין עם איראן והפעיל עליה סנקציות כלכליות, הפסיק מימון מוסדות פלסטיניים כגון אונר"א, פרש מאונסק"ו ומועצת זכויות האדם של האו"ם וסגר את הקונסוליה האמריקנית בירושלים. נתניהו הציג את פרישת ארצות הברית מההסכם עם איראן כהישג מדיני, אך יש הרואים בפרישה פגיעה באינטרסים הביטחוניים של ישראל. במרץ 2019 חתם הנשיא טראמפ על צו להכרה אמריקאית בריבונות ישראלית על רמת הגולן. מדינות רבות הביעו התנגדות לצעד זה. בינואר 2020 הציג הנשיא טראמפ את תוכנית השלום שלו ("עסקת המאה"). נתניהו קיבל את התוכנית. בשלהי כהונתו התקררו היחסים בין טראמפ ונתניהו. ב-4 ביולי 2017 ביקר בישראל ראש ממשלת הודו, נרנדרה מודי ודן עם נתניהו על הידוק הקשרים בין הודו לישראל, סיוע ישראלי לחקלאות בהודו והגדלת המסחר בין המדינות. באותו חודש ביקר במספר מדינות באירופה. הוא נפגש בפריז עם נשיא צרפת עמנואל מקרון והמשיך לבודפשט, כראש הממשלה הישראלי הראשון המבקר בהונגריה. הוא חתם על שורה של הסכמים לשיתוף פעולה כלכלי-טכנולוגי והשתתף בוועידת מדינות וישגראד. במהלך הקדנציה נתניהו קיים מספר ביקורים במדינות אפריקה: ביולי 2016 ערך סבב ביקורים שכלל ביקור באוגנדה לרגל 40 שנה למבצע אנטבה, לצד פסגה משותפת של נתניהו ומספר מנהיגי מדינות אפריקאיות, ביקור בקניה עם משלחת כלכלית, ביקור ברואנדה ובאתיופיה. ביוני 2017 נאם בפני הוועידה הכלכלית של מדינות מערב אפריקה (אנ') וכן נפגש עם נשיא מאלי. בביקורו בקניה בנובמבר 2017 היה המנהיג המערבי היחיד בהשבעת הנשיא אוהורו קניאטה. בספטמבר 2017 יצא נתניהו לביקור ראשון של ראש ממשלה ישראלי באמריקה הלטינית ונפגש עם מנהיגי ארגנטינה, קולומביה ומקסיקו. משם הוא טס לארצות הברית להיפגש עם נשיא ארצות הברית דונלד טראמפ בנוגע למצב הגאופוליטי במזרח התיכון והאיום האיראני וכן לנאום בעצרת הכללית של האומות המאוחדות. בסוף 2017 אישרה הממשלה את תוכניתם של שר הפנים אריה דרעי והשר לביטחון פנים, גלעד ארדן, לסגור את מתקן חולות ולגרש למדינות שלישיות את המסתננים מאריתריאה ומסודאן שישראל נמנעת מלהחזירם למולדתם ומתן מענק למגורשים ולמדינה הקולטת. ב-2 באפריל 2018 חזרה רואנדה מהסכמתה לקלוט את המגורשים. נתניהו האשים את הקרן החדשה לישראל שהפעילה "לחץ אירופי על ממשלת רואנדה" לסגת מההסכם, אך הקרן הגיבה שלא ניהלה כל קשר מול ממשלת רואנדה. במקום זאת, הודיע נתניהו שהוא גיבש עם שר הפנים, אריה דרעי, מול נציבות האו"ם לפליטים מתווה להוצאת כמחצית מן המסתננים למדינות במערב אירופה ועוד ובמקביל לפזר את המחצית השנייה ברחבי ישראל. בעקבות התנגדות רחבה בימין הודיע נתניהו על ביטול המתווה. הוא הצהיר כי יחזור למתווה כליאת המסתננים במתקן חולות, אך המתקן לא שב לפעילות. עם הקמת הממשלה כיהן נתניהו גם כשר התקשורת. נתניהו מינה את ראש מטה הבחירות שלו שלמה פילבר למנכ"ל משרד התקשורת.בהסכמים הקואליציוניים חויבו סיעות הקואליציה לתמוך ברפורמות בשוק התקשורת שהממשלה תקדם ונאסר עליהן לתמוך בחוקים בנושא ששר התקשורת יתנגד אליהם. בשל ניגוד עניינים של נתניהו עקב קשריו עם שאול אלוביץ' מבעלי בזק, הוחלט באוגוסט 2016 להסמיך את צחי הנגבי לטפל בענייני בזק, ובפברואר 2017 הפך הנגבי לממלא מקום שר התקשורת בעקבות עתירות לבג"ץ בנושא. במאי מונה איוב קרא כשר תקשורת קבוע. במהלך 2015 פעל נתניהו לרפורמה ברשות השידור: ביטול אגרת הטלוויזיה והקמת תאגיד השידור הישראלי במקומו. אולם בתחילת 2017 פעל לסגירת התאגיד בנימוקים של בזבוז כספים והטיה פוליטית. למהלך התנגד בתוקף שר האוצר, משה כחלון. לאחר משבר הוסכם ביניהם שהתאגיד יקום ללא חטיבת החדשות וזו תוקם כגוף נפרד. תיקון החקיקה עבר בכנסת ערב הקמת התאגיד, אך הוקפא בידי בג"ץ (וב-2018 אף בוטל בידי הכנסת), כך שהתאגיד הוקם עם חטיבת החדשות. עם הקמת הממשלה המשיך נתניהו לכהן כשר הבריאות, אך בפועל הסמכויות במשרד ניתנו לסגן השר יעקב ליצמן מיהדות התורה. באוגוסט 2015, בעקבות עתירה שהגישה סיעת "יש עתיד", קבע בג"ץ כי ליצמן לא יוכל לכהן כסגן שר במעמד של שר ועליו להתמנות לשר. בעקבות כך, מועצת גדולי התורה של "אגודת ישראל" התירה לליצמן להתמנות לשר הבריאות. בתחילת 2020 נדרשה הממשלה להתמודד עם מגפת הקורונה. תחילה טיפל משרד הבריאות בהכנת מערכת הבריאות לטיפול בחולים והוצאת הנחיות לבידוד רפואי של עשרות אלפי ישראלים לשם מניעת התפשטות המחלה ואף הוטל סגר ארצי. נתניהו הופיע תדיר בתקשורת ונתן הודעות לציבור על צעדי הממשלה ועל כללי ההתנהגות הנדרשים. בהמשך צמצם את הופעותיו. במהלך כהונתה של ממשלת נתניהו הרביעית גדל הגירעון התקציבי מ-29.9 מיליארד ש"ח בסוף שנת 2014, ל-54 מיליארד ביוני 2019, חריגה של 14 מיליארד ש"ח לעומת היעד בתקציב. נתניהו קידם את אישור מתווה הגז, שנועד להסדיר את אופן ניהול שדות הגז הטבעי בישראל, ובפרט סוגיות הנוגעות למונופול וזכויות על המאגרים, ייצוא, מיסוי הגז ומחירו. כחלק מפעולותיו לאישור המתווה מונה נתניהו לממלא מקום שר הכלכלה. ב-27 במרץ 2016, פסל בג"ץ את סעיף היציבות במתווה, אך נתן לממשלה ארכה של שנה לתיקונו. במאי אותה שנה עברה בממשלה ההחלטה שוב, עם שינויים בסעיף זה. בשנת 2016, חתמה ישראל על הסכם פריז. בשנת 2019, פורסמה החלטת ממשלה בנושא משבר האקלים אך בישראל לא נוצרה תוכנית היערכות מתוקצבת להתמודדות עם סכנות המשבר. בסוף ינואר 2016 אושר בממשלה "מתווה הכותל" לפיו הייתה אמורה להתרחב עזרת ישראל המיועדת לתפילה מעורבת, בניהול מועצה ציבורית בהשתתפות מגוון זרמים ביהדות וארגון נשות הכותל. המתווה הוביל לאיום המפלגות החרדיות לפרוש מהקואליציה, ומשכך הוקמה ועדה לבחינה מחודשת של המתווה, עד שהוקפא ביוני 2017. בתיקון לפקודת מס הכנסה נקבע שראש הממשלה ושאיריו יזכו לפטור ממס הכנסה לתשלומים והטבות מהמדינה, שאינם משכורת או קצבה, בדומה לפטור הניתן לנשיא המדינה. בעקבות דרישה של רשות המיסים שראש הממשלה נתניהו ישלם מס על הטבות בסך 600,000 ש"ח שניתנו לו מהמדינה לשם תחזוקת ביתו הפרטי בקיסריה, החליטה ועדת הכספים שהמדינה תגלם רטרואקטיבית את מס ההכנסה החל על ראש הממשלה גם קודם לתחולת התיקון הקודם. בסוף דצמבר 2015 הקדים מרכז הליכוד, לבקשת נתניהו, את הפריימריז לראשות המפלגה, על אף שמועד הבחירות היה רחוק באותה העת. לאחר שלא נרשמו מתמודדים מלבד נתניהו, החליט בית הדין של הליכוד בינואר 2016 לבטל את הפריימריז והודיע כי בנימין נתניהו נבחר פעם נוספת לתפקיד יושב ראש הליכוד. ב-24 בדצמבר 2018, לאחר פרישת "ישראל ביתנו" מהקואליציה, עקב ביקורת על תגובתה המאופקת של ישראל לטרור מרצועת עזה, הוקדמו הבחירות לכנסת ה-21. ב-26 בדצמבר אישרה הכנסת את פיזורה וקבעה כי הבחירות ייערכו ב-9 באפריל 2019. בקמפיין הבחירות לכנסת העשרים ואחת, עודד את ריצתן המשותפת של הבית היהודי, האיחוד הלאומי ועוצמה יהודית ברשימת איחוד מפלגות הימין. הוא אף שריין את המקום ה-28 ברשימת הליכוד למועמד מטעם הבית היהודי. בבחירות שהתקיימו ב-9 באפריל 2019, "הליכוד" זכה ל-35 מנדטים וקיבל מנשיא המדינה ראובן ריבלין את כתב המינוי לנסות ולהקים את הממשלה, אך לא הצליח להקים ממשלה. סמוך לפקיעת פרק הזמן שנקצב לנתניהו להקמת הממשלה, יזם את פיזור הכנסת ובשל כך, עמד בראש ממשלת המעבר. בבחירות לכנסת העשרים ושתיים צירף נתניהו לרשימת הליכוד את מפלגת "כולנו". בנוסף, שכנע את מפלגת "זהות" לפרוש מהבחירות, בתמורה להבטחת תפקיד שר למשה פייגלין והקלות בתחום הלגליזציה של קנאביס רפואי. בבחירות אלו ירידה מפלגת הליכוד ל-32 מנדטים, לעומת 38 המנדטים שהיו לה יחד עם מפלגת "כולנו" וללא חבר הכנסת אלי בן-דהן, שחזר למפלגת "הבית היהודי". ב-25 בספטמבר 2019 הטיל הנשיא ריבלין על נתניהו את המנדט להרכיב ממשלה, לאחר שנתמך בידי 55 חברי כנסת, לעומת 54 שתמכו ביריבו בני גנץ. נתניהו כשל בהקמת ממשלה והמנדט עבר ליריבו בני גנץ, אשר לא עלה אף בידו להקים ממשלה. משכך התפזרה הכנסת מבלי שהביעה אמון בממשלה חדשה. בדצמבר 2019 נערכו פריימריז לראשות "הליכוד", בהן זכה נתניהו ל-72.5% מהקולות, כשהתמודד מול גדעון סער. בבחירות אלה, שנערכו ב-2 במרץ 2020 הגדילה רשימת הליכוד את כוחה ל-36 מנדטים, אך לאחר שגנץ זכה להמלצתם של 61 מחברי הכנסת, הטיל עליו נשיא המדינה את הרכבת הממשלה. אחרי סוף תקופת המנדט של גנץ, ועל רקע התפרצות הקורונה, נחתם הסכם קואליציוני בין הליכוד לכחול לבן. ב-7 במאי, הוגשו לנשיא חתימותיהם של 72 חברי הכנסת המבקשים להטיל על נתניהו את מלאכת הרכבת הממשלה ובהם חברי הכנסת של כחול לבן והעבודה ובעקבות כך הנשיא הטיל עליו את המנדט. לפני כן נדחתה עתירה לבג"ץ נגד הטלת המנדט על נתניהו, בנימוק שהוא נאשם בפלילים. בעקבות כך פורסם הסדר למניעת ניגוד עניינים שבו נאסר עליו לעסוק בנושאים הקשורים למצבו המשפטי. ב-17 במאי 2020 הושבע לקדנציה חמישית כראש ממשלת ישראל השלושים וחמש. באותו מעמד הושבע בני גנץ כראש ממשלה חלופי, והיה מיועד להתמנות לראש הממשלה כעבור שנה וחצי, ב-17 בנובמבר 2021, אך חילופי ראש הממשלה לא התממשו. ממשלה זו המשיכה במאבק במגפת הקורונה בישראל ובהשלכותיה הכלכליות וקידמה תוכניות סיוע ומענקים לאזרחים. אחרי דיכוי גל התחלואה הראשון ומימוש אסטרטגיית היציאה, החלה עלייה מחודשת בתחלואה, שהובילה לסגר שני בחגי תשרי. במקביל התקיימו מחאות נגד נתניהו וממשלתו על רקע ניהול המשבר ובשל המשך כהונתו של נתניהו כנאשם. בעקבות עלייה נוספת בתחלואה, החליטה הממשלה על סגר שלישי בסוף דצמבר. במקביל נתניהו סיכם עם אלברט בורלא, מנכ"ל פייזר, על רכישת חיסונים. מרבית אזרחי ישראל נענו לקריאות להתחסן ולפרק זמן קצר ישראל הובילה במספר המתחסנים לנפש. בעקבות הבטחת הבחירות בוצעו צעדים לסיפוח יהודה ושומרון לישראל ואימוץ תוכנית השלום של הנשיא טראמפ שכונתה "תוכנית המאה". אולם תוכניות אלה ירדו מהפרק עם חתימת "הסכמי אברהם" מול איחוד האמירויות הערביות ובחריין. לאחר מכן להסכמים עם מרוקו וסודן, אך ההסכם עם סודן לא התממש. ב-13 באוגוסט 2020 הציגו הנשיא טראמפ, נתניהו ושייח' מוחמד בן זאיד אאל נהיאן, את הסכם איחוד האמירויות-ישראל לנרמול היחסים בין ישראל לאיחוד האמירויות הערביות. לפי הפרסומים, ההסכם כלל דחייה של הסיפוח. ב-11 בספטמבר 2020 דווח כי בחריין החליטה לנרמל את יחסיה עם ישראל ולכונן איתה יחסים דיפלומטיים. הסכמים אלו נקראו "הסכמי אברהם". ההסכם נחתם ב-15 בספטמבר 2020 בבית הלבן על ידי ארצות הברית (כמתווכת) איחוד האמירויות הערביות, בחריין וישראל. ב-10 בדצמבר 2020 הוכרז חידוש יחסים עם מרוקו והצטרפותם להסכמי אברהם. ב-22 בדצמבר 2020 נחתם ברבאט הסכם בין ארצות הברית, ישראל ומרוקו. הסכמים אלו והסכמים נלווים יצרו לישראל מסדרונות אוויריים למזרח דרך ערב הסעודית ולדרום אמריקה דרך סודאן. ב-24 באוקטובר 2020 (שעון ישראל), הודיע הנשיא טראמפ במסיבת עיתונאים טלפונית שנערכה במשותף עם ראש ממשלת ישראל בנימין נתניהו, ראש מועצת הריבונות הזמנית בסודאן עבד אל-פתאח אל-בורהאן וראש ממשלת סודאן עבדאללה חמדוכ באופן רשמי כי ישראל וסודאן יכוננו יחסים דיפלומטיים מלאים. ב-6 בינואר 2021 חתמה ממשלת סודאן על הצהרת "הסכמי אברהם". ב-2 במרץ 2021 הודיעה התובעת בבית הדין הבין-לאומי לצדק על חקירת אירועים שהתרחשו ברצועת עזה וביהודה ושומרון החל מ-13 ביוני 2014. בליל ל"ג בעומר, י"ח באייר ה'תשפ"א, 30 באפריל 2021 התרחש אסון מירון, בו נספו 45 גברים וילדים ונפצעו 102 בני אדם והיה האסון האזרחי הגדול ביותר בתולדות מדינת ישראל. ב-6 במרץ 2024 פרסמה ועדת החקירה הממלכתית לחקר אסון הר מירון את מסקנותיה, שבהן הטילה על נתניהו אחריות אישית, כיון שידע או לכל הפחות היה עליו לדעת על ליקויי בטיחות באתר ההילולה במירון, ולא ציינה המלצה מעשית בשל תפקידו כראש ממשלה. עקב העימותים בגבול ישראל – רצועת עזה ושיגור רקטות פלסטיניות לעבר ישראל, פתחה ישראל במבצע שומר החומות. במקביל למבצע פרצו מהומות ברחבי ישראל. ב-23 במרץ 2021 התקיימו הבחירות לכנסת העשרים וארבע, שבהן התמודד נתניהו כיו"ר הליכוד. בבחירות אלה ירד מספר המנדטים של הליכוד מ-36 ל-30, אך המפלגה המשיכה להיות הגדולה בכנסת. המפלגה השנייה בגודלה הייתה יש עתיד בראשות יאיר לפיד, עם 17 מנדטים. הנשיא ראובן ריבלין העניק תחילה את המנדט להקמת ממשלה לנתניהו, אולם הוא לא הצליח להרכיב ממשלה והמנדט עבר ללפיד, שהצליח להקים ממשלת חילופים, יחד עם נפתלי בנט. ב-13 ביוני הושבעה ממשלת ישראל השלושים ושש, ממשלת חילופים בראשות נפתלי בנט כראש הממשלה ויאיר לפיד כראש הממשלה החלופי ובכך הסתיימו יותר מ-12 שנות כהונה רצופות של נתניהו בתפקיד ראש ממשלת ישראל. נתניהו עבר לשמש כראש האופוזיציה, אשר תחת הנהגתו נמנעה חלקית מהשתתפות בוועדות הכנסת בטענה לקיפוח בייצוג. בנוסף, דרש מכל חברי הכנסת של הליכוד להשתתף בפיליבסטרים רבים. חברי כנסת מהליכוד שנעדרו, גונו על ידי המפלגה ברשתות החברתיות. בנוסף לכך, האופוזיציה הצביעה גם נגד חוקים שהיא תומכת בהם כמו תקנות שעת חירום לשיפוט על יהודה ושומרון בטענה שהם לא רוצים לעזור לממשלה ושהמטרה של הפלת הממשלה חשובה יותר מאשר חוקים ספציפיים שיקודמו. נתניהו עצמו נמנע מלהגיע לעדכונים ביטחוניים אצל ראש הממשלה נפתלי בנט. על רקע מבצע עלות השחר, נתניהו הגיע לראשונה מאז כינון הממשלה לעדכון ביטחוני אצל ראש הממשלה יאיר לפיד. הממשלה שאפה לעודד לימודי ליבה באמצעות תוכנית תמריצים כלכליים ואף חסידות בעלז הסכימה להשתתף. נתניהו סיכל זאת באמצעות השוואת תקציב החינוך גם ללא לימודי ליבה. בדצמבר 2021 נחנך המכשול בגבול עזה אותו יזמה ממשלת נתניהו ב-2019. בטקס החנוכה חלק שר הביטחון בני גנץ שבחים לנתניהו על שדחף את הקמת המכשול, ונתניהו עצמו אמר כי "זהו יום היסטורי", וכי מדובר בפרויקט לאומי חשוב שכבר הציל חיים רבים. במהלך מערכת הבחירות לכנסת העשרים וחמש, ביקר את הסכם הגבול הימי בין ישראל ללבנון עוד לפני פרסומו. הוא אף השמיע התבטאויות בדמות אי-כיבוד ההסכם, אבל בהמשך הוא ריכך את התבטאויותיו ואמר שהוא ידאג למזער את נזקיו כמו שנהג בהסכמים אחרים שהוא מתנגד אליהם כגון הסכמי אוסלו. ב-29 בדצמבר 2022, הושבעה ממשלת ישראל השלושים ושבע. זמן קצר לאחר הרכבת הממשלה פסק בג"ץ כי מינויו של אריה דרעי לשר לוקה בחוסר סבירות קיצוני, על רקע עברו הפלילי ובשל מצג שווא שהציג בפני בית משפט השלום שגזר את דינו בעבירות מס. בעקבות זאת פיטר נתניהו את דרעי משלושת התפקידים שייעד לו: המשנה לראש הממשלה, שר הפנים ושר הבריאות. ב־4 בינואר 2023 הכריז שר המשפטים יריב לוין על כוונתו לקדם רפורמה במערכת המשפט בישראל ובה הסדרת פסילת חוקים ופסקת התגברות של הכנסת ברוב רגיל, ביטול עילת הסבירות, הגדרת תפקיד הייעוץ המשפטי כמייעץ לא מחייב ושינוי הרכב הוועדה לבחירת שופטים כך שלקואליציה יהיה רוב מוחלט. לאחר פרסום הרפורמה, קבעה היועצת המשפטית לממשלה, גלי בהרב-מיארה, כי נתניהו מנוע מלהתערב בניהול החקיקה ברמה העקרונית עקב ניגוד עניינים, בהיותו נתון למשפט פלילי. בעקבות זאת קידמה הקואליציה את "חוק הנבצרות", בכדי למנוע ממיארה להוציא את נתניהו לנבצרות עקב התערבות בחקיקה המשפטית בזמן העמדתו לדין פלילי. הרפורמה שהוצעה יצרה התנגדות ציבורית נרחבת והובילה למחאה רחבת היקף. המוחים טענו שמהלכי החקיקה מהווים פגיעה בעצמאות מערכת המשפט והאשימו את נתניהו שהוא מנסה להוביל הפיכה משטרית שתאיין את הדמוקרטיה הישראלית, עד כדי הפיכתה לדמוקרטיה חלולה. נשיאת בית המשפט העליון אסתר חיות הוקיעה את הרפורמה וטענה שתפגע ברשות השופטת. על אף זאת, הממשלה ונציגיה בכנסת המשיכו לקדם את חוקי הרפורמה, תוך התעלמות וגינוי ההפגנות ההמוניות של מתנגדי הרפורמה, מה שהוביל לפילוג קשה בעם. חלק ממתנגדי הרפורמה איימו לרדת מהארץ וקבוצת קצינים בצה"ל בעבר ובהווה התארגנה לכדי "מחאת אנשי המילואים" שאיימו להפסיק את התנדבותם למילואים. ב-25 במרץ קרא שר הביטחון יואב גלנט, לעצור את חקיקת הרפורמה והזהיר מסכנה לביטחון המדינה. בתגובה לדברי גלנט הודיע נתניהו על פיטוריו, עובדה שהביאה להעצמת המחאה ולהפגנות המונים ספונטניות ברחבי הארץ שכונו "ליל גלנט". ההסתדרות וראשי המגזר הפרטי הודיעו על הצטרפות למחאה והורו על שביתה כללית של המשק. בעקבות זאת, הודיע נתניהו על השהיית הרפורמה וכניסה לשיחות משא ומתן בבית הנשיא עם האופוזיציה. בינתיים פיטורי גלנט הושהו ובהמשך בוטלו. במקביל לשיחות, קידמה הקואליציה "תרגיל" לדחיית בחירת נציגי הכנסת לוועדה לבחירת שופטים, על ידי הצבעה נגד כל המועמדים. האופוזיציה דרשה שתובטח בחירת נציגת האופוזיציה בוועדה, בהתאם לנוהג. לבסוף נבחרה נציגת האופוזיציה קרין אלהרר, בתמיכה של מספר חברי קואליציה, אך הזעם על התרגיל הביא להקפאת השיחות בבית הנשיא. בתגובה חוקקה הקואליציה את ביטול עילת הסבירות, עובדה שהובילה עשרת אלפים מתנדבי מילואים להודיע על הפסקת התנדבותם כאות מחאה. בנוסף לכך התמודדה הממשלה עם גל פיגועי ירי ודריסה בירושלים וביהודה ושומרון. מבצע שובר גלים נמשך והממשלה נקטה בצעדים שונים נגד המפגעים. ב־9–13 במאי, לאחר עלייה בגלי הטרור ושיגורי רקטות לעבר עוטף עזה, יזם צה"ל את מבצע מגן וחץ לסיכול בכירי פלוגות אל-קודס. בסופו נתניהו הצהיר כי המבצע "שינה את משוואת ההרתעה". ביולי 2023 לאחר עליה במספר הפיגועים בצפון השומרון, יצא צה"ל למבצע בית וגן בעיר ג'נין ובמחנה הפליטים שבה. בספטמבר 2023 השתתף בעצרת הכללית של האומות המאוחדות, במהלכה בלטו ההצהרות גלויות ביחס לקידום הנורמליזציה עם סעודיה, מצד נתניהו, ביידן ואף מצד יורש העצר של ערב הסעודית, מוחמד בן סלמאן אאל סעוד. את ביקורו ליוו מחאות נגד הרפורמה המשפטית. ב-26 בדצמבר 2023 דיווחה הסוכנות לאנרגיה אטומית כי איראן האיצה את העשרת האורניום שלה לדרגות של 60%. ישראל התמקדה, לפי פרסומים זרים, במשך שנים בהאטה ובבלימה של העשרת האורניום. בתחילת 2024 פורסם כי איראן פעלה או גיששה להשגת כמה רכיבים הנדרשים לפצצה גרעינית. בספטמבר 2023 נשא נתניהו נאום בעצרת האו"ם, בו הכריז שישראל נמצאת "על סיפה של פריצת דרך - הסכם היסטורי בין ישראל לסעודיה" - הסכם שהמגעים לו היו בעיצומם. ביוני 2024 שלחה ועדת גרוניס לחקר פרשיות כלי השיט מכתבי אזהרה לנתניהו ולארבעה אישים נוספים שהיו מעורבים ברכש הצוללות וכלי השיט. ביחס לנתניהו נכתב בהודעת הוועדה: "מהתמונה המצטיירת בפני הוועדה בשלב זה עולה, כי בנושאים הנחקרים חל שיבוש עמוק בתהליכי עבודה ובמנגנוני קבלת החלטות בשורה של סוגיות רגישות. זאת, תוך יצירת סיכון לביטחון המדינה ותוך פגיעה ביחסי החוץ ובאינטרסים כלכליים של מדינת ישראל". בספטמבר 2025 פרסמה הוועדה כי נתניהו ויוסי כהן הסתירו ממערכת הביטחון מגעים עם גרמניה בעניין רכש צוללות ואישור מכירת צוללות למצרים. הם אילצו את ישראל לרכוש שלוש צוללות בניגוד לעמדת מערכת הביטחון ותוך הטעיית הקבינט לגבי העלות האמיתית. במהלך 2024 הורידו שלוש חברות דירוג האשראי הגדולות (מודי'ס, פיץ' וסטנדרד אנד פורס) את דירוגי האשראי של ישראל, לראשונה מאז תחילת הדירוג בשנת 1988. כמו כן, הדירוג החדש של S&P לווה בתחזית שלילית בשל הסיכונים הגאופוליטיים ובשל עיכובים בגיבוש תקציב מדינה לשנת 2025. בספטמבר 2024 הורידה מודי'ס את הדירוג של ישראל בפעם השנייה באותה השנה ובאופן חריג במיוחד בשתי דרגות. לצורך מימון המלחמה, הממשלה החליטה להעלות מיסים, ביניהם העלאת מס ערך מוסף מ-17% ל-18%. עוד לפני העלאת המיסים, יוקר המחיה בישראל המשיך להיות גבוה כאשר לפי יועצו הכלכלי של נתניהו, ישראל הייתה יקרה יותר ב-38% לעומת ממוצע OECD. במהלך המלחמה, קידמה הממשלה צעדים שקשורים לרפורמה המשפטית. למשל, שינוי חוק יסוד: השפיטה שונה כך שיגדל משקלם של הפוליטיקאים בוועדה לבחירת שופטים, הליך הדחה של גלי בהרב-מיארה מתפקיד היועצת המשפטית לממשלה. זאת בזמן שנתניהו היה כפוף להסדר ניגוד עניינים האוסר עליו לעסוק במערכת המשפט בגלל התיקים הפליליים המתנהלים נגדו. באפריל 2025, לקראת פרסום תוכנית המכסים של טראמפ, הממשלה הודיעה כי היא מבטלת את כל המכסים על יבוא מארצות הברית. עקב העודף המסחרי של ישראל בסחר ההדדי בין המדינות, הטילו האמריקאים במסגרת התוכנית מכס בגובה 17% על סחורות ישראליות. ב-25 בספטמבר 2025 קבעה ועדת גרוניס כי היו מקרים בהם נתניהו ביקש מראשי שב"כ לפעול באופן "שאינו ראוי בדמוקרטיה". בשבתו כראש ממשלה פעל נתניהו לשמר יציבות מול שלטון חמאס ברצועת עזה, על חשבון מעמדה המדיני של הרשות הפלסטינית. החל ב-2018 קידם העברה דרך ישראל של מזוודות דולרים במזומן וללא רישום בנקאי, מקטר לידי חמאס. בין היתר שידל את מנהיגי קטר לקדם את העברת הכספים באופן סדיר, מתוך אמונה שכך ניתן יהיה למנוע הסלמה. בישיבת סיעת ליכוד במרץ 2019 טען: "מי שרוצה לסכל הקמה של מדינה פלסטינית צריך לתמוך בחיזוק חמאס ובהעברת כסף לחמאס." במבצע שומר החומות התברר שהתפיסה כשלה. בתום המבצע, נתניהו העריך שיתקיים שקט ארוך טווח בגזרת עזה והתנגד להצעת ראש השב"כ, נדב ארגמן, לחסל את מנהיגי חמאס בעזה. כאשר נבחר מחדש לראשות הממשלה, השיב נתניהו את ההסדרה הכספית במסגרת "הוועדה הקטרית".[דרוש מקור] ביולי 2023 תועד מספר המעברים הגדול ביותר מעזה לתוך ישראל מאז החל המעקב בשנת 2004, זאת כתוצאה משיפור תנאי המעבר ומהנפקת מספר גדול של היתרי עבודה. באותו החודש שלח השב"כ לנתניהו מסמך ובו המלצות לשיקום ההרתעה נגד חמאס באמצעות “סבבים יזומים נגד חמאס, הרחבת הסיכולים הממוקדים, המשך ההתרעה, שימור מהלכים יזומים ומוכנות למערכה כמשימה מספר 1". נתניהו דחה את ההמלצות והממשלה לא קיימה דיון על המסמך. בחגי תשרי 2023 חלה הסלמה בגדר המערכת מול חמאס. ב-1 באוקטובר המליץ לו ראש השב"כ רונן בר להוציא לפועל את תוכנית "העריפה" ולהרוג באחת את מנהיגי החמאס, נתניהו סירב והנחה לקדם הסדרה אזרחית מול חמאס. בבוקר 7 באוקטובר 2023, יום שבת, שמחת תורה, כ"ב בתשרי ה'תשפ"ד, פתחו ארגוני הטרור הפלסטינים "חמאס" ו"הג'יהאד האסלאמי הפלסטיני" בטבח שבעה באוקטובר. בחסות שיגור כ-4,300 רקטות, חדרו כ-6,000 מחבלים מרצועת עזה לעשרות יישובים ישראליים, ליער בארי ולמתקנים צבאיים באזור עוטף עזה ובסביבתו, מ-119 פרצות שונות בגדר, מהאוויר ומהים, תוך ניהול קרבות ירי נגד כוחות ביטחון מעטים. המחבלים ביצעו מעשי טבח ואונס, רצחו והרגו 1,173 בני אדם, מתוכם טבחו ב-779 אזרחים, וחטפו לרצועת עזה כ-251 אנשים, ובהם גברים, נשים, קשישים ותינוקות. בשעות הראשונות נלחמו נגדם כיתות הכוננות, שוטרי משטרת ישראל, לוחמי הימ"מ וחיילי צה"ל, שהיו בנחיתות מספרית. בקרבות נהרגו כ-1,609 מחבלים בשטח ישראל, ובצד הישראלי נהרגו 329 חיילים, 58 שוטרים ו-10 אנשי שירות הביטחון הכללי. בעקבות זאת פתח צה"ל במלחמת חרבות ברזל. ישראל פינתה מיושביהם 29 יישובים בעוטף עזה ו-22 יישובים בצפונה. במלחמה נהרגו רבבות פלסטינים, בהם אלפי מחבלים, נגרם הרס נרחב ביותר למבנים ולתשתיות ומאות אלפים מתושבי הרצועה נאלצו לעזוב את בתיהם ולהתגורר במחנות אוהלים. נוסף על החזית הראשית בעזה, נלחמה ישראל מול חברות ציר ההתנגדות, כולל חזבאללה, החות'ים ואיראן. נתניהו ספג ביקורת על כך שאיפשר את התעצמות החמאס, ארגון הטרור השולט בעזה ועל כך שסירב לקחת על עצמו אחריות למחדל. נתניהו מצידו השיב שהוא לא חיזק את חמאס, אלא עשה שלוש מערכות מולו שהיו משמעותיות והחלישו אותו וכן חיסל חלק מבכיריו. בראשית המלחמה חל דיון ציבורי ב"שאלת האחריות" לפריצתה ונתניהו סירב להשיב בהודאה ולקיחת אחריות, אך במספר הזדמנויות שדיבר לציבור בישראל אמר שהכל ייחקר בתום המלחמה וגם הוא יצטרך לתת תשובות על כך. עם זאת בנובמבר, השיב בראיון לרשת NBC האמריקנית ואמר: "כמובן שיש לי אחריות [...] האחריות שלי היא להגן על אזרחי ישראל וזה לא קרה". בנובמבר 2025 פרסם מבקר המדינה דו"ח בשם "היעדר תפיסת ביטחון לאומי וההשפעה על תהליכים מרכזיים בדרג המדיני ובצה"ל", במסגרת סדרת דו"חות על כשלי 7 באוקטובר, ובו קבע כי נתניהו לא מימש אחריותו בהכנת תפיסת ביטחון לאומי, וכי אילו היה ממלא את תפקידו כראוי "ייתכן שהייתה מוגדרת אסטרטגיה אחרת לגבי אופן ההגנה על גבולות המדינה, לרבות לגבי הסד"כ הנדרש ואופן הפעלתו, אשר היו מביאים את צה"ל להיערכות טובה יותר בהגנה על גבול עזה ב-7.10.23". ביולי 2024 טס נתניהו לביקור מדיני בארצות הברית. במהלך הביקור נאם בפעם הרביעית בפני שני בתי הקונגרס של ארצות הברית והיה המנהיג הזר הראשון לעשות כן, וקיים פגישות עם נשיא ארצות הברית ג'ו ביידן, סגנית נשיא ארצות הברית קמלה האריס והמועמד לנשיאות דונלד טראמפ. ב-19 באוקטובר 2024, בשעות הבוקר, שיגר ארגון הטרור חזבאללה כטב"מ מלבנון לעבר ביתו של נתניהו בקיסריה, הכטב"מ פגע בחלון חדר השינה. נתניהו לא שהה בביתו בעת הפגיעה ולא היו נפגעים באירוע. ב-4 בפברואר 2025 ביקר נתניהו בבית הלבן אצל נשיא ארצות הברית דונלד טראמפ. הביקור התמקד בנושאים מרכזיים הקשורים למזרח התיכון, במיוחד מצב רצועת עזה והיחסים בין ישראל לארצות הברית. במהלך מסיבת עיתונאים משותפת, טראמפ הציע הצעה מפתיעה לפיה ארצות הברית תיקח שליטה על רצועת עזה, תפנה את התושבים הפלסטינים ותשקם את האזור כ"ריביירה של המזרח התיכון" תחת בעלות אמריקאית. הצעה זו עוררה תגובות בין-לאומיות ודאגה, במיוחד בשל השלכותיה על זכויות הפלסטינים והיציבות האזורית. ב-21 במאי 2025 כינס נתניהו מסיבת עיתונאים, לראשונה מזה כחצי שנה. במסיבת העיתונאים התייחס לפסיקת בג"ץ נגד פיטורי ראש השב"כ רונן בר, לסוגיית הגרעין האיראני, למהלכים הדרושים להכרעה ברצועת עזה, למשא ומתן להשבת החטופים ולמה שהגדיר כ"שרשרת הכשלים שהובילה לטבח שבעה באוקטובר". הנאום זכה לשם "נאום הכפכפים" בעטיים של דבריו הבאים והכוזבים: ”עכשיו אני שואל אתכם, עם מה תקפו אותנו ב-7 באוקטובר? [...] עם מטוסי F-35? עם מה? עם טנקים? עם מה? הם תקפו אותנו עם כפכפים, קלצ'ניקובים וטנדרים. זה עולה פרוטות.” ב-12 באפריל, נשיא ארצות הברית דונלד טראמפ החל במשא ומתן על הסכם גרעין חדש והקציב למהלך הדיפלומטי 60 יום. מ-2015 עד פרישת ארצות הברית ב-2018 מההסכם הקודם אפשרה איראן למפקחים מסבא"א לפקח על מתקניה, רמת העשרת האורניום הייתה עד 3.67%, וכמות האורניום המועשר הייתה עד 300 ק"ג. בעקבות החלטת טראמפ לפרוש מההסכם ב-2018 בתמיכה נתניהו והחזרת הסנקציות, האיצה איראן את ההתחמשות הגרעינית שלה. ב-31 במאי פרסמה סבא"א שברשות איראן 408.6 ק"ג ברמת העשרה של 60%. לפי הערכות, אפשר לייצר ממלאי זה עשר פצצות גרעין. לשם הרכבת נשק גרעיני שמיש, נותר לאיראן בשלב זה להשלים את ייצור הרכיב שמביא לתגובת שרשרת גרעינית ופיצוץ. בסוף דצמבר 2025 נפגש נתניהו עם טראמפ באחוזתו בפלורידה שם דנו על המעבר לשלב ב' בהסכם מול חמאס, סוגיית איראן, לבנון ופירוק חזבאללה מנשקו, וההסדר האפשרי מול סוריה. זו הייתה פגישתו השישית של נתניהו עם טראמפ בשנת 2025. בנובמבר 2025, הסעודים והאמריקאים סיכמו בין היתר על העברת מטוסי F-35 וקידום תוכנית גרעין אזרחית בממלכה, מה שנידון בזמן שיחות הנורמליזציה בשנת 2023. בליל 13 ביוני 2025 הורו נתניהו והקבינט המדיני-ביטחוני על מבצע עם כלביא, שמטרתו היא סיכול תוכנית הגרעין האיראנית, ובו תקף חיל האוויר הישראלי במספר ערים באיראן מתקני גרעין ואתרי טילים בליסטיים וכן התנקש בכמה מראשי מערכות הביטחון האיראניות, בהם מפקד משמרות המהפכה חוסיין סלאמי, רמטכ"ל צבא איראן מוחמד באקרי, ומדעני גרעין בכירים. בימים הבאים המשיך חיל האוויר בתקיפות ובסיכולים, ואיראן הגיבה במטחי טילים שהרגו 30 אזרחים ישראלים והרסו בניינים ותשתיות. בליל 22 ביוני הצטרפה ארצות הברית לתקיפות נגד איראן, ותקפה מתקני הגרעין. ב-24 ביוני הוכרזה הפסקת אש והתקיפות ההדדיות פסקו. ב-5 בפברואר 2026 פרסם נתניהו את תשובותיו למבקר המדינה במסגרת בדיקת המבקר את אירועי טבח שבעה באוקטובר. במסמך האשים נתניהו גופי המודיעין והביטחון באחריות למחדל, ואת הסיבות לכישלון האסטרטגי ייחס לנסיגת צה"ל מלבנון בשנת 2000 ולהתנתקות בשנת 2005. בתגובה למסמך פרסמו מספר עיתונאים טענות שהמסמך מכיל סילופים ושקרים. הרמטכ"ל לשעבר גדי איזנקוט טען שהמסמך "שקרי ומניפולטיבי", וכך טען גם ח"כ יואב גלנט, ויו"ר האופוזיציה יאיר לפיד מתח ביקורת על פרטים שונים במסמך. פרשיות פליליות לאורך שנות פעילותו הפוליטית של נתניהו, הועלו כנגדו מספר פעמים טענות לפלילים: שש פרשיות הגיעו לכדי חקירה פלילית של המשטרה, מתוכן שלושה תיקים נסגרו ובשלושה אחרים הודיע היועץ המשפטי לממשלה כי בכוונתו להעמיד לדין את נתניהו, באחד בחשד לשוחד ומרמה והפרת אמונים ובשניים נוספים בחשד למרמה והפרת אמונים. בעקבות פרשת בר-און חברון בינואר 1997, במהלכה הועלו חשדות כי היה מעורב בקנוניה למינוי היועץ המשפטי לממשלה, נפתחה חקירה פלילית נגד נתניהו ובעקבותיה המליצה המשטרה להגיש נגדו כתב אישום. לבסוף, היועץ המשפטי לממשלה, אליקים רובינשטיין, שמונה על ידי הממשלה לאחר הפרשה, החליט לא להעמידו לדין בנימוק של חוסר ראיות, אך ציין כי "מהתנהגות ראש הממשלה עלו תמיהות". בפרשת עמדי, שהחלה בספטמבר 1999, הועלה חשד כי נתניהו ניצל את מעמדו להשגת טובות הנאה מקבלן ההובלות אבנר עמדי, בדמות עבודות שביצע. בספטמבר 2000 המליצה המשטרה להעמיד את נתניהו לדין בגין עבירות שוחד, מרמה הפרת אמונים ושיבוש הליכי חקירה. בעקבות חקירת פרשת עמדי, עלה חשד שהזוג נתניהו העבירו לחזקתם האישית מתנות שאותן קיבל נתניהו ממנהיגים בעולם בעודו ראש ממשלה ולכן הן רכוש מדינת ישראל. היועץ המשפטי לממשלה אליקים רובינשטיין החליט שלא להגיש כתב אישום בשתי הפרשות, בנימוק של חוסר ראיות, אך מתח ביקורת על התנהלותו של נתניהו. במרץ 2011, פרסם העיתונאי רביב דרוקר, תחקיר בתוכנית "המקור", שבו טען כי בשנים 1999–2008 נסעו נתניהו ובני משפחתו מחוץ לישראל על חשבון גופים פרטיים, גם אחרי חזרתו של נתניהו לפוליטיקה ב-2002. התחקיר, שנודע כ"פרשת ביביטורס", הביא לבדיקה של מבקר המדינה ולבדיקה משטרתית. בינואר 2017 קיבל היועץ המשפטי לממשלה אביחי מנדלבליט את המלצות המשטרה והפרקליטות והחליט על סגירת הבדיקה. החל מינואר 2017 נחקר נתניהו באזהרה בידי משטרת ישראל בשני נושאים: "תיק 1000", הכולל חשד לקבלת טובות הנאה מארנון מילצ'ן וג'יימס פאקר ו"תיק 2000" העוסק בשיחות בינו לבין מו"ל "ידיעות אחרונות", נוני מוזס, שבהן – על פי החשד – הציע מוזס לנתניהו שינוי קו הסיקור והוספת כתבים מטעמו בתמורה לשינויים במתכונת הפצת "ישראל היום". על החשדות כלפיו אמר נתניהו פעמים רבות "לא יהיה כלום, כי אין כלום". במהלך החקירות, העלו חברי כנסת מ"הליכוד" הצעות חוק הנוגעות לחקירות משטרה ובהן הצעה, שנודעה בשם "חוק ההמלצות", שלפיה תוצאותיה של חקירת משטרה יועברו לפרקליטות המדינה ללא שהמשטרה תציין עמדתה בעניין הגשת כתב אישום. ההצעות עוררו ביקורת ונטען כלפיהן כי הן נועדו להגן על נתניהו. בדצמבר 2017, הודיע נתניהו כי הנחה את יו"ר ועדת הפנים של הכנסת, דודי אמסלם, ממובילי "חוק ההמלצות", לדאוג לכך שהצעת החוק לא תחול על חקירותיו של נתניהו. בפברואר 2018, לאחר כשנה וחצי של חקירות, הגיעה המשטרה למסקנה כי נמצאה תשתית ראייתית להגשת כתב אישום בשני התיקים. ב"תיק 1000" יוחסו לנתניהו עבירות של לקיחת שוחד ומרמה והפרת אמונים. ב"תיק 2000" יוחסו לנתניהו עבירות של בקשת שוחד ומרמה והפרת אמונים. לאחר הודעת המשטרה, מסר נתניהו הודעה מפורטת שבה הבהיר שאין בכוונתו להתפטר. נתניהו הכחיש את טענות המשטרה וערער על הלגיטימיות והאובייקטיביות של ההמלצות משום שלדבריו "אי אפשר להשתחרר מהרושם שהן הושפעו מתחושות חסרות בסיס של גורמי חקירה שמאמינים שאני פעלתי נגדם" רוב חברי הקואליציה ובפרט ראשי המפלגות בה, התייצבו לימינו של נתניהו והדגישו את חזקת החפות העומדת לזכותו ואחרים גיבו את מערכת אכיפת החוק "תיק 4000", הוא חקירה פלילית שניהלה יחידת להב 433 של משטרת ישראל, בשיתוף עם רשות ניירות ערך, החל מיוני 2017. בין החשודים בפרשה זו: בעל השליטה בחברת "בזק" שאול אלוביץ', מנכ"לית "בזק" סטלה הנדלר, מנכ"ל משרד התקשורת שלמה פילבר ויועץ התקשורת ניר חפץ. ב-2 במרץ 2018 לראשונה נחקרו באזהרה במקביל בפרשה זו גם בנימין ושרה נתניהו, בחשד לקבלת שוחד. שניים מהחשודים, פילבר וחפץ, חתמו על הסכם עד מדינה. נתניהו טען שהסכימו לכך רק בגלל איומי המשטרה. ב-2 בדצמבר 2018, פרסמה משטרת ישראל את עמדתה כי נמצאה תשתית ראייתית להעמיד לדין את נתניהו באשמת לקיחת שוחד, מרמה והפרת אמונים וקבלת דבר במרמה בנסיבות מחמירות. נתניהו הכחיש וטען שהחלטותיו התקבלו בהמלצת גורמי המקצוע במשרד התקשורת והוא אף קיבל החלטות שהסבו הפסדים כבדים לאלוביץ' ואילו אתר 'וואלה' סיקר אותו באופן שלילי לכל אורך התקופה המדוברת. בנוסף טען שהחקירה לא התנהלה בצורה הוגנת, עקב סירוב החוקרים לעמת אותו פנים מול פנים עם עדי המדינה. עם התקדמות הדיון בתיקים 1000, 2000 ו-4000 אצל היועץ המשפטי לממשלה, דרש נתניהו שהחלטה של היועץ להגיש נגדו כתב אישום בכפוף לשימוע לא תפורסם לפני הבחירות, משום שלא ניתן יהיה לסיים את השימוע לפני הבחירות. הוועדה למתן היתרים במשרד מבקר המדינה, דחתה את בקשתו של נתניהו לקבל מימון להגנתו המשפטית מבן דודו נתן מיליקובסקי ומאיש העסקים ספנסר פרטרידג'. הוועדה קבעה גם כי עליו להחזיר 300 אלף דולר שקיבל ללא היתר. נתניהו עתר לבג"ץ נגד החלטות אלו ונפסק שהוועדה תקיים דיון נוסף שבו יציג בפניה נתניהו פרטים נוספים, לשם קבלת החלטה חדשה בעניינו. בפברואר 2019 הודיע היועץ המשפטי לממשלה, אביחי מנדלבליט, כי החליט לשקול העמדה לדין של נתניהו, בכפוף לשימוע, בשלושת התיקים: בתיק 1000 ו-2000 באשמת מרמה והפרת אמונים, ובתיק 4000 באשמת שוחד ומרמה והפרת אמונים. בתגובה האשים נתניהו את השמאל במסע ציד נגדו ובהפעלת לחץ פסול על היועץ המשפטי לממשלה ומתח ביקורת על פרקליט המדינה שי ניצן ועל הפרקליטה ליאת בן ארי, שלדבריו תמכו בעמדה קיצונית בעניין העמדתו לדין. השימוע התקיים במשך ארבעה ימים באוקטובר אותה השנה. ב-21 בנובמבר 2019 הודיע מנדלבליט כי החליט להגיש כתב אישום נגד נתניהו בעבירות שוחד ומרמה והפרת אמונים בתיק 4000 ובעבירות מרמה והפרת אמונים בתיקי 1000 ו-2000. בתגובה יצא נתניהו בהודעה שבה מתח ביקורת חריפה על מערכת אכיפת החוק (המשטרה, פרקליטות המדינה והיועץ המשפטי לממשלה). נתניהו הוא ראש הממשלה הראשון בישראל שהוגש נגדו כתב אישום בגין עבירות המיוחסות למהלך כהונתו כראש ממשלה, וכן ראש הממשלה הראשון בישראל העומד למשפט תוך כדי כהונתו. בעקבות הגשת כתב אישום, הוגשה עתירה לבג"ץ שדרשה מנתניהו לחדול מלכהן כשר, בהתאם להלכת דרעי-פנחסי. ב-2 בינואר 2020, התפטר נתניהו מתיקי השרים שבהם החזיק – שר העבודה והרווחה, שר החקלאות, שר התפוצות ושר הבריאות. ב-1 בינואר 2020 הגיש נתניהו בקשה ליו"ר הכנסת לקבלת חסינות מהעמדתו לדין פלילי. ב-28 בינואר 2020 לאחר שרשימת כחול לבן הבטיחה רוב בוועדה נגד מתן החסינות, משך נתניהו את הבקשה. לאחר כמה שעות הגיש היועץ המשפטי לממשלה אביחי מנדלבליט את כתב האישום לבית המשפט המחוזי בירושלים. ב-24 במאי 2020 החל משפטו של נתניהו, מלווה בהד תקשורתי וציבורי גדול. ב-30 בנובמבר 2025 הגיש בנימין נתניהו בקשת חנינה לנשיא המדינה, יצחק הרצוג. את בקשתו נימק: במאי 2024 הגיש התובע הראשי בבית הדין הפלילי הבין-לאומי בהאג בקשה לצו מעצר נגד נתניהו בגין חשדות לשורת פשעים נגד האנושות ובהם הרעבת אוכלוסייה כאמצעי מלחמה, הריגה מכוונת ורצח, תקיפות מכוונות נגד אוכלוסייה אזרחית וכן השמדה או רצח לרבות בהקשר של הרעבה. הבקשה הוגשה גם כלפי שר הביטחון, יואב גלנט, ובמקביל הוגשה בקשה לצווי מעצר גם עבור בכירי החמאס - יחיא סנוואר, אסמעיל הנייה ומוחמד דף. ב-21 בנובמבר 2024 הודיע בית הדין הפלילי הבין-לאומי כי הוציא צווי מעצר נגד נתניהו וגלנט בגין פשעי מלחמה ופשעים נגד האנושות ברצועת עזה. על פי בית הדין, נתניהו וגלנט אחראיים לפשעים של הרעבה כשיטת לחימה, רצח, רדיפה והכוונת תקיפות לאוכלוסייה אזרחית בכוונה תחילה. משמעות הוצאת צווי המעצר היא ש-124 המדינות החברות בבית הדין הפלילי יהיו מחויבות לעצור ולהסגיר את נתניהו וגלנט להאג אם ייכנסו לתחומן. הצווים ממקמים את ישראל בקבוצת מדינות שנתפסות כמפירות של החוק הבין-לאומי. תפקידיו העיקריים חיים אישיים נתניהו הוא בנם השני של צילה ופרופסור להיסטוריה בנציון נתניהו. אחיו הבכור יוני, היה מפקד סיירת מטכ"ל שנהרג במבצע אנטבה ואחיו הצעיר עדו, הוא רופא וסופר. דודו של נתניהו, אלישע, היה פרופסור למתמטיקה, בעלה של שופטת בית המשפט העליון, שושנה נתניהו. נישואיו הראשונים של נתניהו היו למרים (מיקי) וייסמן (לאחר מכן, הרן) בשנת 1972. לשניים נולדה בת, נועה, שלימים חזרה בתשובה ונישאה לדניאל רוט, איש עסקים חסיד ברסלב; מבתו נועה יש לנתניהו חמישה נכדים. בשנת 1979 התגרש נתניהו מוייסמן. ב-1981 נישא לפלור קייטס, נוצריה בריטית שעברה גיור קונסרבטיבי לצורך הנישואים. לאחר מינויו של נתניהו לשגריר באו"ם, עברה גם גיור אורתודוקסי. השניים התגרשו ב-1989. במרץ 1991 נישא בשלישית לשרה בן ארצי, שהייתה באותה עת דיילת אוויר ב"אל על". שרה היא בתו של הסופר, המשורר והמחנך שמואל בן ארצי, שימשה כפסיכולוגית חינוכית בעיריית ירושלים. לזוג שני בנים, יאיר ואבנר. ב-2002 רכשו בני הזוג נתניהו וילה בקיסריה בסכום של 1.8 מיליון דולר. ב-2007 רכש נתניהו 1.7% ממניות חברת NMDM, השייכת לבני דודיו, דן ונתן מיליקובסקי, תמורת 600 אלף דולר. ב-2010 מכר אותן תמורת 4.3 מיליון דולר, המשקפים רווח של 13.2 מיליון ש"ח. על פי "פורבס ישראל", הונו של נתניהו בשנת 2019 נאמד ב-50 מיליון ש"ח וכולל דירה בת שתי קומות ברחוב דרך עזה בירושלים ווילה בקיסריה, שערכן כ-25 מיליון ש"ח. בעשור השמיני לחייו, בשנים 2023–2024, עבר נתניהו השתלת קוצב לב, ניתוח לתיקון בקע מפשעתי וניתוח להסרת בלוטת הערמונית. ב-17 ביולי 2024 נחשף כי עלות האבטחה של נתניהו ומשפחתו, בין השנים 2018–2023, עמדה על 30 מיליון שקלים. במרץ 2016 פרסם העיתונאי יגאל סרנה סטטוס בפייסבוק שבו טען כי שיירת ראש הממשלה נעצרה בלילה בכביש 1 וראש הממשלה בנימין נתניהו סולק ממכוניתו בהוראת אשתו שרה. בתגובה הגישו בני הזוג נתניהו תביעת דיבה על סך 279 אלף ש"ח. ב-11 ביוני 2017, קבע בית המשפט שמדובר בלשון הרע שפורסם במטרה לפגוע וחייב את סרנה לשלם לבני הזוג נתניהו מאה אלף ש"ח כפיצויים ועוד 15 אלף ש"ח הוצאות משפט. בעקבות תוצאות המשפט פוטר סרנה מידיעות אחרונות. ערעור שהגיש סרנה על פסק הדין לבית המשפט המחוזי בתל אביב נדחה. בקשת רשות ערעור שהגיש סרנה לבית המשפט העליון נדחתה אף היא. בדצמבר 2018 הגיש נתניהו תביעת דיבה על סך 200 אלף ש"ח נגד העיתונאי בן כספית, שפרסם כי היועץ המשפטי איל ינון קיבל הטבות כספיות בפנסיה, בתמורה לכך שבת זוגו עמית מררי, המשנה ליועמ"ש לעניינים כלכליים, תפעל לטובתו בתיקיו. במאי 2023, הושגה פשרה, שבמסגרתה נתניהו משך את תביעתו וכספית יפרסם הבהרה שבה ייכתב כי לא התכוון לייחס לנתניהו כוונה לשחד את מררי או את ינון. בינואר 2022 החלה להתברר תביעת דיבה שהגישו בני הזוג נתניהו ובנם יאיר נגד ראש הממשלה לשעבר אהוד אולמרט, על שטען בתוכניות טלוויזיה שהם "חולי נפש הזקוקים לטיפול פסיכיאטרי". ב-21 בנובמבר 2022 נפסק שאולמרט אמר לשון הרע וחייב אותו לשלם למשפחת נתניהו 62,500 ש"ח פיצויים בתוספת 35,000 ש"ח שכר טרחה והוצאות משפט. ב-16 בנובמבר 2023 בית משפט השלום ברמלה חייב את דוד ארצי בתשלום פיצויים בסך למעלה מחצי מיליון ש"ח לדוד שמרון, לאחר שארצי טען כי יש הסכם סודי בין בני הזוג נתניהו שלפיו הוא חייב לשתפה בכל החלטה. בית המשפט פסק בנוסף 50 אלף ש"ח לטובת המדינה. ארצי ערער על פסק הדין, ובית המשפט המחוזי מרכז ביטל את פסק הדין אך קבע שארצי ישלם לשמרון 290 אלף ש"ח, ויבוטל חיובו בתשלום לאוצר המדינה. בשנת 2025 הגיש נתניהו תביעות לשון הרע אחדות, בהן תביעות נגד משה יעלון, אליעד שרגא, יאיר גולן ואודי לוי. באפריל 2025 הגיש נתניהו תביעת לשון הרע נגד פעילת המחאה שקמה ברסלר, על סך חצי מיליון ש"ח. התביעה עוסקת בשלושה פרסומים שבהם נטען לכאורה כי נתניהו קיבל שוחד מקטר, ונטען בה כי "הפרסום האמור פוגע ביסודות המשטר התקין ובערכי הדמוקרטיה". למימון הגנתה פתחה ברסלר במימון המונים, שתוך פחות משעה גייס 500 אלף ש"ח, ובהמשך צמח ליותר מ-750 אלף ש"ח שתרמו כ-4,800 איש. ספריו ספרים בעריכתו: בעקבות כהונתו כשר האוצר עסק נתניהו בכתיבת ספר נוסף, שנקרא תחילה "השמן והרזה" ובהמשך נקרא "הנמר הישראלי", ואף קיבל מקדמה על פרסומו מהמו"ל, הוצאת ידיעות אחרונות, אך עם כניסתו לתפקיד ראש הממשלה בשנית, גנז נתניהו את הספר. פרסים והוקרה לקריאה נוספת קישורים חיצוניים ביאורים הערות שוליים שר המורשת עמיחי אליהו • שר במשרד האוצר זאב אלקין • שר במשרד המשפטים, השר לשיתוף פעולה אזורי והשר המקשר בין הממשלה לכנסת דודי אמסלם • השר לביטחון לאומי איתמר בן גביר • שר הכלכלה והתעשייה ניר ברקת • השרה לשוויון חברתי וקידום מעמד האישה מאי גולן • שרת החדשנות, המדע והטכנולוגיה גילה גמליאל • שר החקלאות וביטחון המזון אבי דיכטר • שר הנגב, הגליל והחוסן הלאומי יצחק וסרלאוף • שר התרבות והספורט מיקי זוהר • שר האנרגיה והתשתיות אלי כהן • שר הבינוי והשיכון, שר הבריאות, שר הרווחה והביטחון החברתי ושר התיירות חיים כץ • שר הביטחון ישראל כ"ץ • סגן ראש הממשלה, שר ירושלים ומסורת ישראל, שר המשפטים, שר העבודה והשר לשירותי דת יריב לוין • שר העלייה והקליטה אופיר סופר • שרת ההתיישבות והמשימות הלאומיות אורית סטרוק • השרה להגנת הסביבה עידית סילמן • שר האוצר ושר במשרד הביטחון בצלאל סמוטריץ' • שר החוץ גדעון סער • שר החינוך יואב קיש • שר התקשורת שלמה קרעי • שרת התחבורה והבטיחות בדרכים מירי רגב • שר התפוצות והמאבק באנטישמיות עמיחי שיקלי שרים נוספים במשרד הביטחון: מיכאל ביטון • בצלאל סמוטריץ' שרים נוספים במשרד האוצר: מאיר שטרית • משולם נהרי • יצחק כהן • חמד עמאר • זאב אלקין שרים נוספים במשרד המשפטים: דודי אמסלם שרים נוספים במשרד החינוך: חיים ביטון
========================================

[SOURCE: https://stackoverflow.com/questions#content] \| [TOKENS: 123]
Communities for your favorite technologies. Explore all Collectives Stack Overflow for Teams is now called Stack Internal. Bring the best of human thought and AI automation together at your work. Bring the best of human thought and AI automation together at your work. Learn more Find centralized, trusted content and collaborate around the technologies you use most. Stack Internal Knowledge at work Bring the best of human thought and AI automation together at your work. Newest Questions Google Cloud Mobile Development OpenAI Site design / logo © 2026 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA . rev 2026.2.19.39917
========================================

[SOURCE: https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A1%D7%9E%D7%A0%D7%98%D7%99%D7%A7%D7%94] \| [TOKENS: 4576]
תוכן עניינים סמנטיקה סמנטיקה (מיוונית: Σημαντικός) היא חקר המשמעות. בתחום הבלשנות, הסמנטיקה עוסקת בחקר המשמעות של מילים וביטויים בשפה. היא קשורה גם לפילוסופיה של הלשון. סמנטיקה בבלשנות מדע הסמנטיקה המודרני נוסד על ידי שני בלשנים חשובים: מישל בריאל ופרדינן דה-סוסיר. בריאל טבע את המונח בסוף המאה ה-19, ודה סוסיר פיתח את התחום בתחילת המאה ה-20. הסמנטיקה מבחינה בין המסמן לבין מה שמסומן באמצעותו, מושגים אשר נטבעו על ידי פרדינן דה-סוסיר. הסמנטיקה מבדילה בין המשמעות הדנוטטיבית לבין המשמעות הקונוטטיבית. בתחומים שונים בסמנטיקה ישנו שימוש במונחים אינטנזיה ואקסטנזיה, הלקוחים מתורת הלוגיקה, על מנת לתאר יחס בין משמעויות של מילים. שדה סמנטי מתייחס לכלל המילים הקשורות לנושא או תחום משמעות מסוים, כאשר לכל מילה בשדה יש משמעות הייחודית לה. האגרון (בלעז Thesaurus) הוא מילון המתבסס על עיקרון זה. הפרגמטיקה, שהיא חקר השיח, נחשבת אף היא כענף בסמנטיקה, אך יש החולקים על טענה זו. במילונות מודרנית ישנו שילוב של הגישות השונות. מעתק סמנטי, ובלשוננו השאלת משמעות, הוא תהליך שבו מילה משנה את משמעותה או מקבלת משמעות נוספת (זהו ניתוח דיאכרוני השתלשלותי של משמעות המילה). הגורמים למעתק עשויים להיות שינוי המטען הריגושי של המילה (הקונוטציה), דבר אשר הופך אותה לטאבו; השפעת שפות זרות (כגון תרגום שאילה או שאילת משמע); שינויים חברתיים כגון חילון; התפתחויות טכנולוגיות. שטפן אולמן הציג חלוקה מרובעת של המעתקים הסמנטיים: הסמנטיקה עוסקת גם בבחינת היחס בין מילים ברובד לשוני נתון (זה הוא עיון סינכרוני). יחס כזה יכול להופיע בצורות שונות: הסמנטיקה היא החוט המקשר בין כל ענפי הלשון משום שהיא עוסקת במשמעויות, אשר נלוות כמעט לכל עיסוק לשוני. בהתאם לכך, קיימים יחסי גומלין בין הסמנטיקה לבין יתר ענפי הלשון, למשל: פונולוגיה – תורת ההגה, מורפולוגיה – תורת הצורות, ותחביר. אחת הדרכים הפונולוגיות לבחון האם הגה כלשהו הוא חלק ממערכת ההגיים בלשון מסוימת, היא לבדוק אם החלפתו בהגה אחר תיצור מילה בעלת משמעות שונה באותה השפה. הוכחה זו מראה את הקשר בין סמנטיקה לבין תורת ההגה משום שהיא נשענת על הבדלי משמעות. המורפולוגיה עוסקת במבני המילים, במבני המורפמות המרכיבות אותן ובקשר שבין המבנה של המילה לבין המשמעות שלה ושל רכיביה. בדרך זו היא מערבת את הסמנטיקה. משום שמידת הקשר בין צורה למשמעות אינה אחידה, לא תמיד ניתן לשער את המשמעות מתוך הצורה. שקיפות סמנטית היא מידת הקשר הקבוע בין הצורה או המבנה לבין המשמעות. השקיפות הסמנטית רבה יותר ככל שהסדירות בקשר מבנה-משמעות גבוהה יותר. קיימים שני סוגים של צורנים, בעלי מאפיינים שונים של שקיפות סמנטית: הסמנטיקה מנסה להכליל ולגלות את כל התכנים היסודיים שניתן להביע על ידי משפטים. המשפט הוא היחידה העומדת במרכז התחביר. יש לו מבנה ומשמעות המקיימים השפעה הדדית ביניהם. התחביר מתייחס לכללים הפורמליים שקובעים את מבנה המשפט ומתבטא באספקטים צורניים כמו סדר המילים. שינוי קטן במבנה המשפט, כמו סדר המילים או סימני הפיסוק, יכול לשנות את המשמעות שלו. מילה יכולת לקבל משמעות שונה מתוך הקשר תחבירי אחר. לדוגמה – יש לי כלב חדש. / יש להוציא את הכלב לטיול. סמנטיקה בתחומי דעת אחרים הסמנטיקה היא גם ענף של הפילוסופיה של הלשון ושל הלוגיקה. בתחום זה העיסוק במשמעות המילים וצרופיהן הוא מופשט יותר, משום שבחינת המשמעות נעשית בה מנקודת המבט של תרומתה למבנה הלוגי של השימוש בשפה. אולם יש השפעות הדדיות בין המחקר הבלשני והפילוסופי בתחום, והם אינם ניתנים להפרדה כה חדה. מושג היסוד בסמנטיקה הפילוסופית הוא מושג האמת. הסמנטיקה הפילוסופית עוסקת גם בסוגיות כגון ההבחנה בין משפטים אנליטיים וסינתטיים, מהות היחס בין מילים נרדפות, אפשרותו של תרגום נאות, היחס בין מובן המילה ובין השימושים שהיא יכולה להופיע בהם, ועוד. קיימות מספר גישות לחקר המשמעות שמקורן בהגות הלוגית-פילוסופית: הגישות אינן סותרות זו את זו בהכרח, והן מייצגות היבטים שונים של מושג המשמעות: נוכל להצביע על חפץ כלשהו במציאות כדי לבאר את משמעותו של מונח, וכדי לתאר את משמעותו של משפט, נוכל להסביר מהם התנאים שבהם המשפט אמיתי ויש לו רלוונטיות; מאידך אנו יכולים להסביר את המשמעות של מילים ומשפטים על ידי תיאור ההקשרים שבהם הם יופיעו ותפקידם בהקשרים אלו. בלוגיקה, נהוג להבחין בין התחביר (syntax) של המערכת, הקובע מהו משפט תקני ומהם הכללים לגזירה של משפט אחד ממשנהו, ובין הסמנטיקה שלה, הקובעת את ערכי האמת של המשפטים שניתן ליצור באמצעות השפה של המערכת. אם מדובר בשפה כמו תחשיב הפסוקים, הסמנטיקה מספקת ערך אמת לכל אחד מן הפסוקים האטומים, והיא מספקת פירוש סמנטי לפעולתם של כל אחד מן הקשרים הלוגיים, למשל, באמצעות טבלת אמת המציגה כיצד משפט מורכב מקבל את ערך האמת שלו על בסיס ערכי האמת של המשפטים שהוא מחבר זה לזה (ר' להלן). בשפות לוגיות מורכבות יותר, דוגמת תחשיב הפרדיקטים, הסמנטיקה קובעת מהי קבוצת האיברים של תחום הדיון, מהן הקבוצות של האובייקטים המשויכים לכל פרדיקט (דהיינו, לאילו אובייקטים יש את התכונה שהפרדיקט מייצג), וכן את הפירוש של הקשרים הלוגיים. כל פירוש סמנטי של מערכת כזו הוא מודל, אולם, התכונות הלוגיות של המערכת עצמה צריכות להיות תקפות עבור כל מודל אפשרי. לדוגמה, תקפות לוגית של טיעון חייבת להיות תלויה בצורה הלוגית של הטענות המקושרות בו, ללא קשר לפירוש שאנו נותנים למונחים הלא-לוגיים המופיעים בהן. באמצעים אלו, של שיקולים סמנטיים גרידה, ניתן לספק למערכות לוגיות הוכחות של תכונות מטה-לוגיות, כגון: נאותות. ראו גם קישורים חיצוניים הערות שוליים
========================================

[SOURCE: https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/מיעוטים_בישראל] \| [TOKENS: 8754]
תוכן עניינים מיעוטים בישראל במדינת ישראל חיים, לצד הרוב היהודי, אזרחים או תושבים המשתייכים לקבוצות אתניות, דתיות, לאומיות ולשוניות שונות, ואשר נהנים משוויון זכויות ומחירויות. על פי רוב, אין מונים עולים ובני משפחותיהם אשר אינם רשומים במשרד הפנים כיהודים במניין המיעוטים במדינה. סוגי המיעוטים בישראל מגוון קבוצות המיעוט בישראל הוא רחב, לחלקם פרמטרים רבים של קבוצת מיעוט ולחלקם מאפיין מיעוט יחיד. לדוגמה, קבוצת המיעוט הגדולה בישראל – האוכלוסייה הערבית מוסלמית – נבדלת בפנים הלאומיים, אתניים, תרבותיים, דתיים, ולשוניים, ולעומתה המיעוט השני בגודלו – האוכלוסייה החרדית – נבדלת בעיקר בפן הדתי והתרבותי. ערביי ישראל המיעוט הערבי הוא המיעוט הגדול בישראל ומהווה כ-20 אחוזים מהאוכלוסייה. רובם המכריע של ערביי ישראל הם מוסלמים סונים ומיעוטם נוצרים. רוב בני המיעוט הערבי חיים בערים ובכפרים נפרדים והשאר חיים בסביבות מעורבות כמו חיפה, עכו וירושלים. דרוזים וצ'רקסים הדרוזים בישראל מהווים את המיעוט האתני השני בגודלו בישראל עם כ-1.7% מהאוכלוסייה. מרכזי היישובים הדרוזים בישראל נמצאים בכרמל, בגליל וברמת הגולן. מרכזי המיעוט הצ'רקסי הם הכפרים ריחאניה וכפר כמא בגליל. מיעוטים נוספים חרדים בישראל נחשבים כקבוצת מיעוט, המונה כ-14% מהאוכלוסייה. רוב החרדים גרים ביישובים ובשכונות נפרדים ומקפידים על ניתוק תרבותי מהחברה החילונית. הריכוזים הגדולים של האוכלוסייה החרדית הם בירושלים, בני ברק, מודיעין עילית, בית שמש, ביתר עילית, אלעד, אשדוד, פתח תקווה, חיפה, טבריה וערד. יש המחשיבים את הדתיים לאומיים כקבוצת מיעוט. הציבור הדתי לאומי בישראל נע בין 15-7% מכלל האוכלוסייה בישראל, והם מתגוררים בכל שטחי מדינת ישראל. הוכרו כלאום נפרד ב-2014 תושבים שאינם אזרחי המדינה בישראל מספר קבוצות אוכלוסייה שאינן יהודים ואין להם אזרחות ישראלית. תושבים חסרי אזרחות ישראלית משתייכים למספר מעמדות שונים: לתושבי קבע ולתושבים ארעיים יש זכויות סוציאליות, הכוללות קצבת ילדים, מענק לידה, קצבת נכות (במידת הצורך), דמי אבטלה (למי שהפסיק לעבוד), קצבת הבטחת הכנסה (למי שאינו עובד מעל לחצי שנה), השלמת הכנסה (למי שמשתכר מתחת לשכר מסוים), ביטוח בריאות ממלכתי וחברות בקופת חולים. תושב קבע אינו זכאי להצביע בבחירות לכנסת, ואינו זכאי לדרכון ישראלי. בעלי מעמד פליט זכאים לקבל מהמדינה הגנה ומקלט. לבעלי המעמד הבלתי חוקי (שב"חים) אין כל זכויות, והם צפויים לגירוש. בשל היעדר מעמדם החוקי, הם סובלים לעיתים מניצול על ידי מעסיקיהם. בעקבות גל העלייה מברית המועצות לשעבר בשנות התשעים מחד גיסא, והגעת מאות אלפי מהגרי עבודה לישראל מאידך, החמיר משרד הפנים את מדיניות ההתאזרחות. נכון לנתוני משרד הפנים לשנת 2002, מצויים בישראל קרוב ל-5,000 בני זוג לא יהודים של ישראלים אשר אינם זכאים לאזרחות מכוח חוק השבות. בשלב זה יכול לקבל בן הזוג מעמד של אזרח לאחר הליך מדורג שאורכו כחמש שנים. מדינת ישראל מעניקה אשרות שהייה לעובדים מחו"ל, על מנת שישמשו כוח עבודה החסר בישראל, בעיקר בתחומי החקלאות, הבניין, המסעדנות, משק הבית והסיעוד. בהתאם לחוק האזרחות, עובדים אלה אינם נחשבים אזרחי המדינה. עובדים זרים אשר אשרת השהייה שהעניק להם משרד הפנים הסתיימה ואינם חוזרים לארצות מוצאם, הופכים באופן אוטומטי לשוהים בלתי חוקיים, על כל המשתמע מכך. על פי נתוני הלשכה המרכזית לסטטיסטיקה, אחוז השוהים הבלתי חוקיים מבין העובדים הזרים עומד על כ-45%. חדירת פלסטינים מהרשות הפלסטינית לשטח מדינת ישראל באופן בלתי חוקי, במקומות עבירים יחסית או דרך פרצות בגדר ההפרדה, נעשית בעיקר לשם מציאת עבודה (ולעיתים לשם ביצוע פיגועי טרור). על פי הערכות גורמים שונים במערכת הביטחון, נכון לשנת 2009, מספר השוהים הבלתי חוקיים מהרשות הפלסטינית בלא היתר בישראל נע בין 20,000 ל-50,000. מדינת ישראל מעוניינת למנוע חדירת שב"חים לשטחי המדינה, בכל מחיר, ועל כן הוחלט להחמיר גם עם מסיעי ומליני שב"חים ישראליים. לטענת משטרת ישראל העברת שב"חים לישראל נעשית על ידי ארגוני פשיעה. בעשור הראשון של המאה ה-21 החלה הסתננות של תושבי אפריקה לישראל דרך גבול ישראל-מצרים שלא היה מגודר. רוב המסתננים שוהים בישראל במעמד של מי שאינם בני-הרחקה, כיוון שהמדינות שמהן באו (כמו מצרים) אינן מוכנות להתחייב שלא ישיבו אותם לארץ מוצאם. רוב המסתננים הגיעו מאריתריאה (54 אחוז מכלל המסתננים ולמעלה מ-80 אחוז מהמסתננים בשנת 2010) מסודאן (23 אחוז), וכן, בשיעור הולך ויורד, מאתיופיה, מחוף השנהב, מניגריה וממדינות נוספות.‏ 85% מן המסתננים היו גברים. הטיפול הממשלתי במסתננים השתנה עם הזמן. בעבר היו כ-1,500 כלואים במתקנים שונים, בהם בית סוהר סהרונים. רבים מהם מתגוררים בדרום תל אביב, באילת ובערד. שוויון זכויות, אפליה והעדפה מתקנת מקימי מדינת ישראל התחייבו לשוויון זכויות לכל אזרחיה ודבר זה בא לידי ביטוי במגילת העצמאות, שבה נכתב: מדינת ישראל תקיים שויון זכויות חברתי ומדיני גמור לכל אזרחיה בלי הבדל דת, גזע ומין; תבטיח חופש דת, מצפון, לשון, חינוך ותרבות; תשמור על המקומות הקדושים של כל הדתות; ותהיה נאמנה לעקרונותיה של מגילת האומות המאוחדות"..."אנו קוראים לבני העם הערבי תושבי מדינת ישראל לשמור על שלום וליטול חלקם בבנין המדינה על יסוד אזרחות מלאה ושווה ועל יסוד נציגות מתאימה בכל מוסדותיה, הזמניים והקבועים. עם קום המדינה הוגדר על ידי בית המשפט העליון כי קיום שוויון זכויות חברתי גמור לכל אזרחי המדינה הוא עקרון יסוד חברתי. מגילת העצמאות פונה אל תושבי מדינת ישראל הערבים בבקשה לשמירה על השלום וללקיחת חלק בבניין המדינה, על בסיס אזרחות מלאה ושווה, כלומר: שוויון זכויות מלא בפני החוק, שוויון פוליטי (הזכות לבחור ולהיבחר) וכן שוויון חברתי בפני המוסדות הציבוריים והאזרחיים, לרבות שוויון הזדמנויות. כמו כן, הצהירו מנסחי המגילה כי מדינת ישראל תעניק חופש דת, מצפון, לשון, חינוך ותרבות לכל אזרחיה, ללא הבדל דת, גזע ומין. ואכן, מדינת ישראל מכירה בחירותם של מיעוטים לשמר את תרבותם הנפרדת, לרבות, חלקית, בדרך של חינוך נפרד. חוקים שונים מסדירים את שוויון הזכויות של המיעוטים ובמקרים רבים אין מדינת ישראל מסתפקת במתן חירות בלבד. ההצהרות וההכרזות של מנהיגי המדינה – החל במגילת העצמאות וכלה במערכות הבחירות השונות במהלך חייה של מדינת ישראל – הועמדו במבחן לאורך שנות קיומה של המדינה נוכח טענותיהם של קבוצות המיעוט כנגד אפליה. יש הטוענים כי האזרחים בני המיעוטים בישראל הם אוכלוסיות חלשות, הזוכות ליחס פחוּת מזה שזוכות לו קבוצות אחרות. חלק ניכר מן הטענות על קיפוח נסב סביב סיכויי עבודה ושכר. טענות אלה נשמעות אף על ידי בני המיעוטים המשרתים בצה"ל, תוך שהם מתלוננים על כך שהם מספיק טובים כדי להילחם, אך לא להתקבל לעבודה בחלק מהמקומות. האיסור על אפליה בהעסקה חל על תנאי העבודה, הקידום, הפיטורים, פיצויי הפיטורים ותנאי הפרישה, אולם מיון הנגזר מאופיים וממהותם של התפקיד או המשרה אינו בגדר אפליה. חריג זה מאפשר לעיתים למעסיקים להפלות אזרחים מקבוצות מיעוט בקבלה לעבודה, בין היתר בטענה כי קיימת בעיה ביטחונית בהעסקת ערבים במקום. טענה נוספת של מעסיקים עוסקת במיקום המגורים של המיעוטים. בכפרים רבים של מיעוטים הניידות בתחבורה ציבורית מהכפר מוגבלת, דבר שעלול לפגוע באפשרות של המיעוטים להגיע בזמן למקום העבודה. כלים נוספים שעלולים לגרום לאפליית מיעוטים במקומות העבודה, הן דרישות כגון שירות צבאי, או עברית כשפת אם. הרשות לפיתוח כלכלי במגזר המיעוטים, הנמצאת במשרד ראש הממשלה, אחראית על שיפור שילובם של בני המיעוטים בכלכלת ישראל. בני המיעוטים בישראל אינם זוכים לייצוג הולם בתפקידים בכירים במגזר הציבורי. מספר הדירקטורים במגזר החרדי הערבי הדרוזי והצ'רקסי, נמוך ממספרם היחסי באוכלוסייה. מספר בני מיעוטים כיהנו בתפקידים בכירים פוליטיים. ייצוג תקשורתי הערבים אזרחי מדינת ישראל מוצגים לרוב בהקשר של הקונפליקט או תוך קישור סטראוטיפי לסמלי תרבות (למשל, חומוס) ללא התייחסות נרחבת לערבים בהקשרים אזרחיים כלליים. ב-2015 בניתוח תוכן שביצעה עמותת סיכוי, של הייצוג של המיעוט הערבי בערוצי השידור היהודיים ברדיו ובטלוויזיה עלה שרק כשני אחוז מהמרואיינים היו ערבים ורק עשירית מאותם מרואיינים ערבים רואיינו במסגרת המומחיות שלהם, בעוד באותה עת ערבים היו חמישית מאוכלוסיית ישראל. בשנת 2015, כמחצית מסיקור הערבים בתקשורת הישראלית היה בעל טון שלילי מובהק. הרבה מסיקור שלילי זה הוקדש לחברי כנסת ערבים, ורק כרבע מסיקור הערבים בתקשורת היה סיקור חיובי. עוד סיקור שלילי ב-2015 הוקדש ל-95% מהאייטמים של התנועה האסלאמית על שני פלגיה, אף על פי שהפלג הצפוני והפלג הדרומי של התנועה הם שני ארגונים שונים. לסיכום, לתקשורת תפקיד מרכזי בעיצוב החברה, כמו כן תפקיד מרכזי בחיזוק סולידריות קהילתית, אך לכאורה התקשורת לא ממלאת תפקידה, וכתוצאה מכך קיים אי שוויון והדרה בסיקור התקשורתי של המיעוט הערבי במדינת ישראל. שנים רבות קיימת בישראל אפליה כלפי חרדים וערבים בהקצאת משאבי המדינה.[דרוש מקור] בשנים 1980–2003 ירדה הצפיפות בכיתות, אך עדיין במגזר הערבי גדולה הצפיפות ב-11% בהשוואה לצפיפות בכיתות במגזר היהודי. אף על פי שהחוק בנושא הקמת תאגידי מים וביוב נחקק לפני כחמש שנים[דרושה הבהרה], ומאז הוקמו כבר עשרה תאגידי מים וביוב במגזר היהודי, עד שנת 2008 לא הוקם אף תאגיד במגזרים הלא-יהודיים. בשנת 2008 הוקמו שני תאגידי ביוב למגזר הערבי, האחד לאזור נצרת והשני לכפרי הגליל התחתון. התאגידים הוקמו בעקבות החלטת ממשלה מיוחדת מפברואר 2007, שקבעה מענקים נדיבים לרשויות במגזר הלא יהודי אשר יקימו תאגיד מים וביוב עד חודש ינואר 2008. בגין המהלך יקבלו הרשויות סכום של 76 מיליון ש"ח, הן כמענקים והן כהחזר מילוות עבר שנטלו בגין משקי המים והביוב. בנוסף, צפוי תאגיד הרי נצרת לקבל סכום של כ-13 מיליון ש"ח כמענק לפיתוח תשתיות מים וביוב חדשות. התאגידים יתנהלו כחברות עסקיות לכל דבר, ויתקיימו מגביית מסים אשר יעברו ישירות לקופתם. ב-14 ביוני 1993 הוחלט בוועדת השרים לענייני תיאום ומנהל להוסיף במשרדי הממשלה 120 משרות לעובדים מן המגזר הערבי והדרוזי. התוכנית בוצעה בשלושה שלבים עד שנת 1997, ובשלב זה לא נקבע המשך למבצע. בשנת 2000 תיקנה הכנסת את חוק החברות הממשלתיות, והוסיפה דרישה להבטחת ייצוג הולם לבני המיעוטים. בית המשפט העליון הוציא מספר פסקי דין התומכים עקרונית בהעדפה מתקנת כלפי ערביי ישראל. בשנת 2006 התקבלה החלטת ממשלה לסבסד הוצאות פיתוח תשתיות לבנייה חדשה לחיילים משוחררים במגזר הבדואי בצפון ובמגזרים הדרוזי והצ'רקסי ברמה זהה לזו שניתנת לחיילים משוחררים יהודים. בשנת 2007 הוקמה ועדת חקירה פרלמנטרית בנושא קליטת עובדים ערבים בשירות הציבורי. עמדות פוליטיות והיחס למדינה ראו גם קישורים חיצוניים הערות שוליים
========================================

[SOURCE: https://www.reddit.com/r/Judaism/about/] \| [TOKENS: 614]
r/Judaism Anyone can view, post, and comment to this community Community Bookmarks About r/Judaism Here you can find resources of, by, for, and in general proximity to all things Jew~ish. This is a non-denominational subreddit, we expect everybody to respect that. To debate, ask, inform, or otherwise discuss r/judaism, please go to r/metajudaism A glossary of common terms that you might see thrown around here. A fantastic translation plugin for most browsers. Gives you hover text translations of common non-English words. Our world-famous denominations of Judaism document. A basic introduction to conversions and what it takes to become a Jew. More resources, texts, and things to read. r/Judaism Rules Don't be a jerk Don’t start or continue flame wars. Don’t troll or harass people, for any reason. Don’t use personal (ad hominem) attacks. This includes things but is not limited to; anti-denominational language, sweeping generalizations, bringing up of conversion/Jewish identity status, bigotry. Additionally, telling people to be quiet or go to another sub is as unacceptable as the rest. Don't proselytize. Don’t proselytize for other religions or lack thereof. No antisemitism. Don't make clickbait. Don’t change submission titles into clickbait for link posts. Your thoughts and opinions should go in the comments. It is not forbidden to change titles across the board. Changes to the title that offer no opinion, and clarify content, are fine. Don't fundraise/survey without prior permission. Message the mods for permission before posting fundraisers, advertisements, surveys, requests for interviews, or any other type of solicitation. This applies to personal, commercial, media, and academic posts. No questions about fasting Any questions about fasting or the intersection of medicine and Jewish law may be removed. Ask your rabbi and/or doctor No Politics Political posts go in the appropriate megathread. This includes posts about antisemitism in politics as well as posts about Israel/Palestine that are not otherwise directly related to Judaism or Jews doing Jewish things. If it's worth reporting, report and don't respond If a post is worth reporting, report it and don’t respond. If a lot of things are worth reporting, message the mods. Don't feed the trolls, don't play mod, don't tell somebody "hey, you broke the rules". Just report it. Reports are most useful when you give details This is here for reporting purposes as most of the time writing a description is the most helpful thing to do. Using the custom response is usually the best idea. No reposts Especially for articles, but also for general questions. If you ask a question that is answered in the Wiki or can be found by searching the sub, your post will be removed. Important Links Browse With More Happiness Filter out posts based on flair AMA Calendar Jewish Diaspora Calendar Related Subreddits Moderators Installed Apps
========================================

[SOURCE: https://stackoverflow.com] \| [TOKENS: 123]
Communities for your favorite technologies. Explore all Collectives Stack Overflow for Teams is now called Stack Internal. Bring the best of human thought and AI automation together at your work. Bring the best of human thought and AI automation together at your work. Learn more Find centralized, trusted content and collaborate around the technologies you use most. Stack Internal Knowledge at work Bring the best of human thought and AI automation together at your work. Newest Questions Google Cloud Microsoft Azure NLP Site design / logo © 2026 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA . rev 2026.2.19.39917
========================================

[SOURCE: https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/פנים] \| [TOKENS: 748]
תוכן עניינים פנים הפנים הן החלק הקדמי של הראש. פני האדם משתרעות בין המצח לסנטר. הפנים כוללות עור, שיער, מצח, גבות, עיניים, אף, לחיים, אוזניים, פה, שפתיים, שיניים וסנטר. באמצעות הפנים מובעות הבעות הפנים. הפנים מהוות מרכיב חשוב בהופעת האדם ובזהותו. המילה "פנים" נגזרת מן השורש פ-נ-י/ה משום שהן פונות קדימה.[דרוש מקור] הפנים הן מאפיין המאפשר הבחנה בין אנשים וזיהויים, בדרך כלל ממבט ראשון (למעט הבחנה בין תאומים זהים). לדוגמה, תמונת פנים על רישיון הנהיגה מאפשרת לשוטר לאמת את זהות הנהג. אנשים שאינם יכולים לזהות אנשים אחרים על פי הפנים לוקים בפרוסופאגנוזיה. הבעת פנים הבעות פנים נוצרות על ידי תנועת ותנוחת שרירי הפנים ומפורשות על ידי המוח, הן משמשות כערוץ תקשורת בלתי מילולי. לעיתים קרובות ניתן ללמוד על רגשותיו ומצב רוחו של האדם דרך הבעת פניו. גלריה קישורים חיצוניים הערות שוליים
========================================

[SOURCE: https://www.reddit.com/r/Judaism/best/] \| [TOKENS: 714]
r/Judaism Purim Megathread 5786 #10 General Discussion (Off Topic) Israel & Related Antisemitism Shabbat Shalom! u/Shasari • Shabbat Shalom! We're what's left 😄 u/justjust000 • We're what's left 😄 Oregon State Board of Nursing Public Forum 02/19/2026 u/Boring-Question4748 • Oregon State Board of Nursing Public Forum 02/19/2026 Antisemitism Anyone can view, post, and comment to this community Community Bookmarks About r/Judaism Here you can find resources of, by, for, and in general proximity to all things Jew~ish. This is a non-denominational subreddit, we expect everybody to respect that. To debate, ask, inform, or otherwise discuss r/judaism, please go to r/metajudaism A glossary of common terms that you might see thrown around here. A fantastic translation plugin for most browsers. Gives you hover text translations of common non-English words. Our world-famous denominations of Judaism document. A basic introduction to conversions and what it takes to become a Jew. More resources, texts, and things to read. r/Judaism Rules Don't be a jerk Don’t start or continue flame wars. Don’t troll or harass people, for any reason. Don’t use personal (ad hominem) attacks. This includes things but is not limited to; anti-denominational language, sweeping generalizations, bringing up of conversion/Jewish identity status, bigotry. Additionally, telling people to be quiet or go to another sub is as unacceptable as the rest. Don't proselytize. Don’t proselytize for other religions or lack thereof. No antisemitism. Don't make clickbait. Don’t change submission titles into clickbait for link posts. Your thoughts and opinions should go in the comments. It is not forbidden to change titles across the board. Changes to the title that offer no opinion, and clarify content, are fine. Don't fundraise/survey without prior permission. Message the mods for permission before posting fundraisers, advertisements, surveys, requests for interviews, or any other type of solicitation. This applies to personal, commercial, media, and academic posts. No questions about fasting Any questions about fasting or the intersection of medicine and Jewish law may be removed. Ask your rabbi and/or doctor No Politics Political posts go in the appropriate megathread. This includes posts about antisemitism in politics as well as posts about Israel/Palestine that are not otherwise directly related to Judaism or Jews doing Jewish things. If it's worth reporting, report and don't respond If a post is worth reporting, report it and don’t respond. If a lot of things are worth reporting, message the mods. Don't feed the trolls, don't play mod, don't tell somebody "hey, you broke the rules". Just report it. Reports are most useful when you give details This is here for reporting purposes as most of the time writing a description is the most helpful thing to do. Using the custom response is usually the best idea. No reposts Especially for articles, but also for general questions. If you ask a question that is answered in the Wiki or can be found by searching the sub, your post will be removed. Important Links Browse With More Happiness Filter out posts based on flair AMA Calendar Jewish Diaspora Calendar Related Subreddits Moderators Installed Apps
========================================

[SOURCE: https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A7%D7%95%D7%91%D7%A5:Jeruzal%C3%A9m,_Olivov%C3%A1_hora,_imgp2364_(2019-03).jpg] \| [TOKENS: 358]
קובץ:Jeruzalém, Olivová hora, imgp2364 (2019-03).jpg תקציר רישיון היסטוריית הקובץ ניתן ללחוץ על תאריך/שעה כדי לראות את הקובץ כפי שנראה באותו זמן. שימוש בקובץ הדפים הבאים משתמשים בקובץ זה: מטא־נתונים קובץ זה מכיל מידע נוסף, שכנראה הגיע ממצלמה דיגיטלית או מסורק שבהם הקובץ נוצר או עבר דיגיטציה. אם הקובץ שונה ממצבו הראשוני, כמה מהנתונים להלן עלולים שלא לשקף באופן מלא את הקובץ הנוכחי.
========================================

[SOURCE: https://www.reddit.com/r/Judaism/hot/] \| [TOKENS: 795]
r/Judaism Purim Megathread 5786 #10 General Discussion (Off Topic) Israel & Related Antisemitism Shabbat Shalom! u/Shasari • Shabbat Shalom! 'We are all Jews': Soldier who defied his German captors to be awarded Medal of Honor u/Remarkable_Sir8397 • 'We are all Jews': Soldier who defied his German captors to be awarded Medal of Honor Discussion https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/military-history/2026/02/19/we-are-all-jews-soldier-who-defied-his-german-captors-to-be-awarded-medal-of-honor/ Oregon State Board of Nursing Public Forum 02/19/2026 u/Boring-Question4748 • Oregon State Board of Nursing Public Forum 02/19/2026 Antisemitism Anyone can view, post, and comment to this community Community Bookmarks About r/Judaism Here you can find resources of, by, for, and in general proximity to all things Jew~ish. This is a non-denominational subreddit, we expect everybody to respect that. To debate, ask, inform, or otherwise discuss r/judaism, please go to r/metajudaism A glossary of common terms that you might see thrown around here. A fantastic translation plugin for most browsers. Gives you hover text translations of common non-English words. Our world-famous denominations of Judaism document. A basic introduction to conversions and what it takes to become a Jew. More resources, texts, and things to read. r/Judaism Rules Don't be a jerk Don’t start or continue flame wars. Don’t troll or harass people, for any reason. Don’t use personal (ad hominem) attacks. This includes things but is not limited to; anti-denominational language, sweeping generalizations, bringing up of conversion/Jewish identity status, bigotry. Additionally, telling people to be quiet or go to another sub is as unacceptable as the rest. Don't proselytize. Don’t proselytize for other religions or lack thereof. No antisemitism. Don't make clickbait. Don’t change submission titles into clickbait for link posts. Your thoughts and opinions should go in the comments. It is not forbidden to change titles across the board. Changes to the title that offer no opinion, and clarify content, are fine. Don't fundraise/survey without prior permission. Message the mods for permission before posting fundraisers, advertisements, surveys, requests for interviews, or any other type of solicitation. This applies to personal, commercial, media, and academic posts. No questions about fasting Any questions about fasting or the intersection of medicine and Jewish law may be removed. Ask your rabbi and/or doctor No Politics Political posts go in the appropriate megathread. This includes posts about antisemitism in politics as well as posts about Israel/Palestine that are not otherwise directly related to Judaism or Jews doing Jewish things. If it's worth reporting, report and don't respond If a post is worth reporting, report it and don’t respond. If a lot of things are worth reporting, message the mods. Don't feed the trolls, don't play mod, don't tell somebody "hey, you broke the rules". Just report it. Reports are most useful when you give details This is here for reporting purposes as most of the time writing a description is the most helpful thing to do. Using the custom response is usually the best idea. No reposts Especially for articles, but also for general questions. If you ask a question that is answered in the Wiki or can be found by searching the sub, your post will be removed. Important Links Browse With More Happiness Filter out posts based on flair AMA Calendar Jewish Diaspora Calendar Related Subreddits Moderators Installed Apps
========================================

Subsets and Splits

No community queries yet

The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.